HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wishing everyone a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Today I will clean and open the windows up to let out the old year. I also sage the house burning a smudge stick just in case the last year decides to linger. I also am going to write in chalk above all the doors leading out. 20+B+C+M+10 this is an old family recipe for luck. The numbers stand for 2010 and the letters are the three kings initials. Can you tell I'm so ready to let 2009 go!

Wishing all of you a very Happy and safe New Years Eve! Thank you all for being a part of my life this year! You all mean the world to me and have brightened and enlightened this past year!

It sure is cold!

With the wind chill in the teens it is burrr here! The snow is pretty and the kids are really enjoying it. I'm trying to get motivated and work on some Valentine's hearts. Maybe another cup of coffee with peppermint cream will help.

It's the little things

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! This is my youngest he's three and loved the bows. He wasn't interested in the presents too much! It's the little things that count!

I'm a giveaway winner!

Isn't she the cutest! I have to say she is heirloom quality and I will cherish her! Thanks so much Laura at
http://www.cobblestonecreations.net


This wonderful giveaway was through a very talented group of artists over at
http://www.becausewebelieve-art.blogspot.com/

Please go and check out the group and Laura's website. Have a wonderful day everyone I have cooking and wrapping still to do. I hope everyone that got a Winter Blast has dug out by now. Wishing everyone a wonderful Holiday Season!

Welcome Winter

Have you been bad or good?

This is a Polish carved wooden Krampus. It was made by a Polish artist.

I love the folklore surrounding Krampus. On December 6Th which is St. Nicolas Day good childern get gingerbread cookies and toys. Krampus tags along with St. Nicholas and takes care of the bad childern. I have read that he beats them with holly or birch branches. He gives out twigs as punishment instead of treats. If you are really bad he carries you off in a basket on his back. I hope all of you have been good this year. If you haven't have fun with Krampus!

Here's the link to this wonderful Krampus.
http://www.polartcenter.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=9700406

Have a Delightful Day!

Magic Mushroom Pinecone Ornaments

Why Magic Mushrooms in Christmas decorations? I did a little digging and this is what I found.

Magic Mushrooms are supposed to bring good luck. I found several vintage postcards of gnomes/elves dancing in the snow with magic mushrooms. These postcards were for Happy New Year and good luck for the New Year.

Some folklore has Santa feeding his reindeer magic mushrooms to aid in flight. This has not been proven but I thought it was very interesting!

So may you all have a very Merry & lucky week!

A New Snowman Candy Box

Here's a new addition to my Etsy Shop. He's hanging out in good company.
It's bitter cold here and snowing. I'm sure it's the same for a lot of you! Wishing everyone a Merry Weekend!

Well it's not Bigfoot!

We got snow! Oh and Bigfoot is not eating the last of the pumpkins. I snapped this shot this morning. I'd love to go out and make some snow angels but burrr! It's windy and feels like 2 below! Our first taste of Winter!

For those of you who got Winter's Blast stay warm! For those of you who have clear roads and sunshine send us just a little warmer air! I don't mind the snow.

Getting distracted

I'm cleaning out my closet today. Santa needs a place to wrap and store gifts. While I was doing that I came across an old photo album. So I started looking and found some fun photos of days gone past I thought I'd share with you.

The first photo is dated December 13th 1942. My grandmother wrote on the back. This is my Grandmother and other family members getting their Christmas Tree from the woods near by. Looks like fun was had by all!

The next is of a a Christmas Tree but not that one. This photo was taken in 1938. When I was growing up we still used that kind of tinsel.

The last photo is of my Grandmother and her sister in law playing in the snow. I love this photo. Love those hats!

So the closet will have to wait because now I'm distracted but in a good way!

Have a wonderful day everyone and for those of you getting snow today don't forget to take sometime to play!

I think I'm done.

Well, I think I'm done Christmas shopping. Now I've got to make peppermint bark and other tasty treats for the teachers, bus driver, mail people. I'm still making ornaments and painting and glittering. Hoping for snow and I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Reindeer and Snowmen and Snowflakes Oh My!

Happy Friday everyone! Here's what I've been up to. Stay tuned I'll be having a Winter Wonder Giveaway soon! Have a very Merry weekend everyone!

Decking the Deck and Tree

I really try to enjoy every moment this time of year. I see how much joy it brings my boys and it helps to really cherish these times. My five year old told a boy on his bus who said Santa doesn't exist that he was going to get coal for Christmas. In our home we Believe!

Bringing out all the ornaments brings back so many memories. Many of these are from my childhood. Santa is plastic but I love his sweet face. He opens up and when I was young one Christmas he came with a dollar inside. Back then I could buy a lot of candy with a dollar.

I collect snowmen and gingerbread men love them they are perfect. These men don't talk back they just smile. I adore glass ornaments and I try to add a new snowman every year. In this photo I also have a reproduction Scott Smith ornament. He's the snowman with holly leaves. I love Scott's work and someday I'd love to have an original. Wishful thinking!

The last ornament is so special. My Aunt made this dough Christmas Clown ornament. She is a wonderful artist and I adore her and her fantastic work! She used to do craft shows now she just makes for family.

That's our deck and no snow yet! I finally finished my orders and I'll post some photos tomorrow. Have a Merry day everyone!

Still no Snow but another Snowflake

My boys want it to snow. Every morning they get up in hopes of seeing the white stuff. It looks like Thursday we may get some.

Happy Cyber Monday everyone those of you who have shops I hope you sell lots. Those of you who buy a huge Thank you!

Now I'm back to paint and glitter. I've got two reindeer to finish more snowflakes and snowmen. Have a great Cyber Monday everyone.

Missing Halloween

Well, I'm knee deep in candy canes and glitter but I haven't forgotten about Halloween. This is the very last Jack O Lantern left in our yard. Where did the others go? I'm not sure but I have been told about Big Foot sightings in the area. As you can see something took his lid and has been nibbling on his face. Poor Jack I'm sure it's only a matter of time until he disappears also.

Retro Style Glittered Pinecone Snowmen Ornaments

I've always liked those vintage snowmen pine cone ornaments. Here's my version. I hope everyone had a happy turkey day! Back to painting and glittering! Sold Thank you!

Just some Autumn Leaves & Happy Thanksgiving!

The only ones left on the trees here are oak. Today it was rainy a perfect day to cook. I made the stuffing and some side dishes. Another family member is bringing the bird. I have never had to cook a turkey before. Maybe next year. I found a wonderful local cranberry wine! I can't wait to have some! What's your favorite part of Thanksgiving? Family and food of course but after cooking a cleaning for two days bring on the wine! Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Holly & Berries Ornament

I was told he made the front page of Etsy last night! I am thrilled I wish I would have been able to see him. Wishing everyone a Holly Jolly Monday! He is sold! :)

Which Tree Classic or Retro Colors

I think the retro colored ornaments would be great on a white tree! Hum... maybe I'll get one this year. Have a great weekend everyone!

Giant Snowman

He's a kind of large at 9 inches. Why not. He is covered in glitter and likes the retro aqua and pink.
One of my other snowman ornaments has been featured on foundhandmade.com. If you like the frosty fellows they have some cute picks check them out! :)
http://www.foundhandmade.com/news/itemize
Giant snowman sold. :)

Oh so Minty Fresh!

Wishing everyone a minty fresh day!

I'm not good at sewing but if I was..

I'd make a whimsy doll version of her. I love how she is covered with dangling presents. It's like a Christmas explosion! Hats off to all you doll makers! Sewing for me does not come easy!

Holiday Inspiration

I was in need of some holiday inspiration. My mother is a teacher so her basement is the perfect place to look for holiday treasures. I didn't have to look to long to find these die-cuts. The set of snowmen are Hallmark 70's or 80's I'm not sure. I have no idea about the others. I know people use Halloween die-cuts still I'm not so sure about Christmas unless you're having a party.
The holly on the snowgirl's hat is the inspiration for an ornament I'm going to make. It will be a holly leaf with a happy face.
So how do you get in this holiday mood? Whatever the holiday you choose to celebrate this season?

Overcoming Fear Of....

Happy Friday the 13th! Paraskevidekatriaphobia fear of Friday the 13th. I do not have a fear of this date. In fact the number 13 is a favorite of mine so for me it's lucky. I am also a fan of the movies! Who doesn't love Jason's mom and Jason! This post is not about Paraskevidekatriaphobia.

Today I would like to explore Chionophobia. This is the abnormal Fear of Snow. Some of you may not suffer from this phobia. You may be lucky and may live in a warm zone where the fearful white stuff does not fall. I say lucky you! I am learning to overcome my fear through understanding and art therapy. I bought this wonderful book by Ken Libbrecht a Field Guide to Snowflakes. This was very helpful. I decided to do some art therapy and to actually make a Snowflake. I know! I was fearful at first but I took the plunge. Through hours of research I was able to learn more about the Snowflake I made. He is a Stellar Dendrites meaning tree like because of his side branches. I'm now proud to say I am no longer afraid. Understanding my Fear and the Art Therapy has helped me so much! I now look forward to the fist Snow and Snowflake! So what are you afraid of? Remember understanding and art therapy could be the cure for you too! Happy Friday the 13th!

A November Sunset

Now that most of the leaves have fallen you can really see some wonderful sunsets. Have a beautiful day everyone!

My Gingerbread Man has been featured!

I was so excited to see my Gingy in the Etsy Gift guide today!
http://www.etsy.com/gift-guides/holiday-ornaments/254
He sold! Yeah!

He's not Frosty Ornament & Dragonfly

I finished another Snowman. We are having very warm weather for November. All kinds of magical creatures are enjoying the warm up!

Festive Mint Ornament & Friends

I know I said I didn't have my Christmas Tree up yet. I don't just a little one. I had to take the Halloween Trees down. I'm running out of room for my ornaments even on the little tree. Some of them are rather large. Ho Ho Ho! I'm off to finish a Frosty & Santa! Have a wonderful weekend!

Fall is not Forgotten!

I know my blog looks like a Christmas and Yuletide explosion. I haven't forgot about fall. I still have most of my Halloween stuff up. Here's a few more leaf pics. The one with the chair is my front yard before the leaves fell. Those are sassafras trees and this year they were a beautiful golden yellow. Wishing everyone a beautiful day!

Happy Holidays!

I hope everyone had a fantastic Halloween! I'd love to linger in Halloweenland a while longer. I've moved on to Christmas and have listed some Happy Holiday items on ebay. And no my Christmas Tree is not up yet! :) Have a wonderful day everyone!

Wishing A Very Happy Halloween!

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes! I think this year we are going as the swine flu family. Little piggy noses and pink piggy ears are in order. Things are getting better and a few of us my make it out tonight!

I hope everyone has a very Happy and Magical Halloween! I'm off to roast up those seeds! Yummy!