Show & Tell Friday--I'm Babysitting!

This week I thought I'd share what I'm babysitting--it's a rocking chair! Isn't it gorgeous! This is a family piece that now belongs to my brother, however he didn't have room for it and so he asked me if I would babysit it. You bet!

He only had 3 rules for it--1. That only those who will respect it can sit in it. It has a caned seat, so it's delicate and I knew that a few of my Raggedy Ann's & Andy's would take great care with it. 2. That it doesn't leave my house. I don't usually travel with my furniture. 3. That I don't throw a fit and cry when he finally takes it back home. Well we'll see about that one! LOL!

This picture shows a bit of the wreath detailing that is has on it. He has the other brass wreath, so it can be repaired. I'm not really sure how old this piece is, but I would easily say 100 yrs plus. This is the best babysitting job I've ever had!

Don't forget to visit our hostess Kelli and see all of the other Show & Tell Friday blogs too.

Some Fun Little Things To Do

While the decorating team and I are busily readying the house for Christmas I thought I’d share a few little fun things to do.......


The first one is the most important--to see if you are on Santa’s Naughty or Nice List. Click HERE to see where you stand.

Have you always wondered what you or someone else would look like as an elf. Well now you can see for yourself. You'll be elfing everyone you know. Click HERE to start elfing.

Are you in need of a little snow? Remember making paper snowflakes as a kid. Now we can create beautiful snowflakes via the computer and then leave messages on them for all to see and we can also see what others around the world have created. Give it a try. Click HERE to make your own one of a kind snowflake.

The elves and I are off to work on getting the house all decorated for Christmas and later I'll have some pictures of the awesome ornies I've been receiving in the mail. Don't forget--Santa is watching, so be good!

Time for Christmas tree decoration

The History of the Christmas Tree:

History of Christmas tree is as intresting as Christmas tree decoration
The tradition of having an evergreen christmas tree, which has become a symbol of Christmas, goes back in past recorded written history. The Druids in ancient England & Gual and the Romans in Europe both used evergreen branches to decorate their homes and public buildings to celebrate the Winter Solstice.

Over the years, these traditions were adopted by Christians, who incorporated them as part of their Christmas holiday celebration. Christmas Tree is also known as xmas tree, is used specifically to celebrate Christmas. It was first used as a decorative in the early 1600's in Germany and surrounding countries. The families would set up these christmas trees in a prominent location of their home and decorate them with colored paper, small toys, food and sometimes candles. As these people moved or immigrated to other countries, they brought this tradition of christmas tree decoration with them.Through the years many different things were used to decorate christmas trees. This is a glimpse of Christmas tree history.

As the world moved into the 1900's, many christmas trees were decorated with strings of popcorn, homemade cards and pictures, cotton to look like snow, candy in all shapes and sizes, and occasionally, fancy store made glass balls and hand blown glass figurines. Candles were sometimes used, but often caused devastating fires, and many different types of candle holders were devised to try to prevent tree fires. Electric tree lights were first used just 3 years after Thomas Edison has his first mass public demonstration of electric lights back in 1879.

The early Christmas tree ornaments and lights were handmade and quite expensive.Today, christmas tree ornaments can be found in nearly every size, color, and shape imaginable, and they are used to decorate the millions of christmas trees used throughout the world.So I hope you enjoyed the history of the Christmas tree

Christmas tree decoration

Once you have brought the tree home the next question that comes to your mind is how to decorate your tree for the celebration. Decoration of Christmas tree is an art but you should know the tricks of the art.

Christmas tree Ornaments

Stars :Mix stars of different shape, size and color.This is an essential part in Christmas tree decoration.


(Lighting does the trick in Christmas tree decoration)

Lights :Lights are an essential part of the decorations s, a lighted Christmas tree looks the best. For decorating the tree you should go for smaller bulbs instead huge bulbs. Use strands of multicolored lights. Start your lighting from the top and then move downwards. Use green wires to make the strings less visible. The lighting should be evenly distributed throughout the tree

Garlads :Instead of buying it from the market you can make it at home.Garlads of chocolate and popcorns also looks nice. It can be of anything depending on your imagination. The easiest way to wrap the garland is to do it in a spiral, staring from the top. You can attach long ribbon streamers to the top of the tree instead of the garland.This will add a flavour in your Christmas tree decoration.




(Satin flowers gives a classic look )

Flowers Silk flowers orb natural flowers gives a bright touch to more formal trees and can be clipped on to the branches

Stocking: Fill the stockings with candies and just hang them with ribbons. These can also be used as Christmas tree decoration.

Special ornaments : You can decorate your Christmas tree with a wide variety of things available in the market. Items like small dolls, teddies, pinecones, balls, painted fruits, music notes, toy alphabets, costume, jewelry pieces and other such things that can be used with candies, cookies, baubles, berries, glittery boughs and pinecones. etc. To add a little more color, replace the string or wire ornament-hanging loops with ribbon loops

(Cotton wool giving the perfect snow effect)

Cotton wool- Use bits of cotton wool spread on the treetops for a snowy effect.

Candles- Get some clip on candleholders and add small candles to your tree. Though these candles should never be lighted for safety reasons, they give a grand look to the tree

Old Christmas cards- Its an innovative way of decorating your Christmas tree

Christmas Tree Decorating with Birds and Beads

This is special than the usual Christmas tree decoration that will make your guests’ eyes light up and their lips utter that breathless “Wow!”?







Hang doves from the ceiling with strings of beads in their mouths as though they were flying in and decorating the tree. Use white thread to suspend the birds and pushpins to secure them to the ceiling. You can attach the beads to the birds’ beaks with hot glue or with straight pins. They can also be attached to the feet. The string of beads should be long enough to drape the end over a limb of the tree. Place the doves at different distances from the Christmas tree.
The end result should look like the doves are decorating the tree with beads. You can have one or two of the doves carrying Christmas ornaments attached to their feet.
Of course the Christmas tree is already decorated with several well-placed doves among the other Christmas ornaments.

In addition to hanging birds from the ceiling and placed throughout the tree, you can place bird nests filled with tiny decorative eggs.
For children its a special treat searching for the little bird’s nest with all the tiny little eggs.

Courtesy: http://www.amazing-christmas-ideas.com/christmas-tree-decorating-birds-beads.html

Hope you liked these tips on Christmas tree decoration.

Tips For Christmas tree Decoration that you can use:

•Experiment with Christmas tree ornaments

•Keep refilling lukewarm water in the tree stand frequently to keep the real tree fresh for longer period of time. At first, you may have to refill the stand quite frequently and the need tapers down slowly. You will know when to refill from the water level in the stand.

• Spray the needles with the wilt resistant spray to keep them fresh for several weeks.

• Arrange the lights from innermost branches to outside and from top to bottom for safety purposes.

• Mix special and more expensive ornaments with cheaper ones to make a greater impact. These special ornaments can include, bird nests, painted fruits, music notes, toy alphabets, costume jewelry pieces and other such things that can be used with candies, cookies, baubles, berries, glittery boughs and pinecones.

• Filler and special ornaments can be placed on tips of boughs. Put some inside the branches too, to add depth to Christmas tree decorations

Decorate Christmas tree with special memorable items , like your child’s first shoe or anything like that

Hope you liked these tips on Christmas tree decoration.

Christmas Tree Storage

( Christmas tree storage bag)



( Christmas tree storage box)

Christmas tree storage is very important and improper storage may lead to unwanted damages to your tree. The pains that you took to decorate it will go waste if the tree is not stored properly. The availability of different options for different trees is what makes it easier for people storing a Christmas tree properly. The markets have basically three main types of storage options for Christmas tree - Plastic Box, Bags (plastic, canvas, polyester and nylon) and Storage Containers (for big trees). The storage containers are quite a popular option. In case you are still clueless about storing your tree, these tips on how to store Christmas tree should help you.



(Make your own Christmas storage bag)


• In case you are not keen on buying bags or containers, check your home for empty boxes. You can store those decorative pieces like ornaments, sequins, in empty boxes in which you might have received gifts for Christmas.

• Collect all the boxes you find at home and set them on a table top. Check the edges for splits or if they are torn on any side. Mend with a strong tape and seal all the gaps.

• Old shoe boxes and tin cans are good storage devices for those small ornaments and sequins that are used to decorate the Christmas tree. Wrap these decorative pieces in tissue papers and then place them in the box.

• After removing and storing all decorative items, take the tree carefully and lay it down in the storage container that it came in. If the stand is detachable, take it out and store it in a separate box.

• Don't forget to put labels on the boxes stating the contents and which side is up.

• Seal the boxes with tape and put it in a place where it would remain undisturbed till next Christmas. The best places would be above your cupboard, inside the attic or those storage shelves at the top of your room. One must always emphasise on Christmas Tree Storage

http://festivals.iloveindia.com/christmas/christmas-tree/storage.html

Christmas tree disposal

Christmas tree disposal is a heart breaking task.The traditional day to take down your Christmas tree is the Twelfth Night. It may give you a heartache to dispose off your Christmas tree that you had decorated so beautifully. But Christmas is over and it is time for Christmas tree disposal. Being the responsible citizen that you are, disposing off your Christmas tree should be done keeping in mind all environmental hazards that may be posed due to improper disposal of the Christmas tree. To know more about how to dispose off the Christmas tree, read on.




• Firstly, take off the lights from your tree. Make sure all light bulbs are taken off; you wouldn't want tiny glass pieces sticking in your fingers while cleaning it up!

• Next, take off all big and small ornaments and other decorative pieces from the tree. Make sure all plastic, sequins, glitter and Christmas tree balls are removed and nothing is left in the inner branches of the tree also.

• Now, lay the Christmas tree on its side very carefully and take off the stand slowly. Keep a bucket nearby in order to pour out any water that was in the tree stand.

• Next, take the tree outside your home and chop it up. You can use the small branches as humus for your garden and the trunk as firewood. If you don't have a fireplace, cut up the trunk into two or three pieces.

• Collect the chopped up branches, needles and trunk in trash bags and put it in your trash can for the cleaners to pick it up. Many communities have special cleaning services right after Christmas. You can contact your local authorities for further details regarding for Christmas tree disposal.

• Another eco-friendly way to dispose off your Christmas tree is to have it recycled at a recycling center. Get your tree recycled and set an example for others to be a responsible citizen.This is the correct way of Christmas tree disposal

Do post your comments and shre your ideas . If you have any special query feel free to mail me. Look out for these Special Christmas blogs

Christmas Crafts
Christmas decoration
Themes for Christmas Party

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! Tomorrow is the big day of cooking for me. We'll have 14 people this year to share our table with and many, many things to be thankful for. May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends and I hope you don't eat too much! Travel safely if you're traveling and remember to count your blessings!

Fancy Dress Ideas - Jokers Masquerade

Todays post is a little bit of shameless marketing, but I wouldn't post it if I did not think that on Jokers Masquerade was a great website from which I have often bought and can highly recommend them. It is definitly one of my favourite Fancy dress Shops. There are also plenty of great fancy dress costume ideas to be had, so go on check it out you know you want to!

About Jokers' Masquerade Fancy Dress Costumes

Jokers' Masquerade has the largest online collection of adult fancy dress costumes and Halloween costumes in the UK today.

Joke.co.uk has been selling on the Internet since 2001 and there are over 10,000 costumes and accessories to choose from for any fancy dress idea or theme. These include Christmas fancy dress and Halloween costumes. There is also a huge range of popular fancy dress themes like Star Wars, Grease, Ghostbusters, Austin Powers, Marvel Super Heroes like Spiderman and the Incredible Hulk as well as other super heroes like Superman, Supergirl and Wonder Woman just to name a few. Many costumes are exclusive to Jokers' Masquerade and therefore not available elsewhere within the UK.

Choosing your perfect fancy dress costume could not be simpler and shopping online with joke.co.uk is 100% secure. Your order will be shipped from their 40,000sqft warehouse complex and with most orders that are placed before 4.00pm shipped on the day of receipt (excluding weekends and Bank Holidays) complete with order and parcel tracking, you should expect your spanking new costume within one to five days depending on your chosen delivery option.

Think Fancy Dress, Think Halloween Costumes, Think Jokers' Masquerade.

Fancy Dress has gone to the Dogs

The UK lags behind the US when it comes to Fancy Dress Costumes for pets, but even so the top suppliers of fancy dress in the UK have reported that the demand for dog costumes has trippled in the last year.

Star Wars Costumes, Superman and other superhero costumes aswell as witch costumes are the top sellers.

Fancy dress with dogs, is similar to that of humans in that there is a huge increase in sales over the halloween period, popular Halloween fancy dress for dogs included ghoul, witch and devil costumes. Before now owners who wanted to dress up their pets, would design something themselves but more and more people are willing to splash out on making their dogs look great and a costume for your pooch is fast becoming the must have accessory.

It all started when Jonathan Ross put a Star WarsYoda costume on his dog about two years ago from there it has just grown in popularity.

Some suppliers of fancy dress costumes for dogs in the UK include:
Angels Fancy Dress - Shaftesbury Avenue, London

To buy online try:
Jokers’ Masquerade who have a whole section on Pet Fancy Dress Costumes including Super Hero Costumes, including Superman, Star Wars Costumes, Halloween Costumes, Buzz Lightyear, Snow White and Mickey Mouse Costumes, and all for your dog!

New Pattern---Vintage Santa Stocking

Vintage Santa Stocking E Pattern

I just completed the pattern for my Vintage Santa Stocking a No Sew project that is really fun to do! It's made using wool felt and vintage style Dresden trim and comes with 6 different Santa images to choose from. Great for a group project or some fun crafting time all to yourself and not only does it look pretty on the Christmas tree, but it makes a fun package tie on as well. This is an E Pattern which is an Instant Download delivered right to your email and it's only $3.00. It can be purchased thru my patterns at Patternmart All my other patterns are also on sale thru this coming Monday. Happy Stitching--or non-stitching with this one!

Show & Tell Friday--My Shiny Box

This week I thought I'd share what my son calls my shiny box. It's my collection of Elizabeth's Vintage Silver Sewing Notions. When I first discovered these I knew I needed the entire set and I think I have pretty close to all of it. The set would normally cost well over $200, but I gathered it piece by piece from Ebay for well under $100, so I think I got a bargain. I wasn't sure just what to do with it all until it hit me one day to mount them in a picture frame, so I found a nice thrift store frame, removed the glass, added some padding and covered that with a dark burgandy velvet and then pinned on each piece.


The pieces in the set above are at the very top on the long chain a magnetic needle case that opens up like a little book. The chatelaine with thimble holder (thimble inside), silver needlecase, tape measure, seam ripper and round pincushion that has blue velvet sandwiched between the two silver rounds. Then scissors in holder, magnifying glass, 3 bodkins used for lacing, tatting shuttle and spool knave. There is also a needle threader that I see has escaped it's spot.
In case you're wondering, yes I do on occasion use some of these tools. I especially love the seam ripper--not that I enjoy ripping out stitches, but it's a great one to use. I keep an eye out and add to my collection whether it be new or old whenever I can and I hope to have a huge poster size shiny box collection someday.

Thanks for stopping by my Show & Tell Friday and don't forget to stop by Kellis' our hostess of Show & Tell Friday and see what everyone else has to share. Enjoy the weekend!

Fairy Costume Ideas

Fairy Costumes
Today's popular image of a fairy costume is that of of a white costume with delicate wings and possibly a wand, if you are going for the Tinkerbell costume look. The reality is that fairies and their costumes come in all shapes and sizes, and there is a huge variety of fairy costumes, and would easily be possible to have a fancy dress party based on a fairy and elf theme.

Tinkerbell Costume
Tinkerbell costumes are some of the most popular of the fairy costumes, for those of you don't know, Tinkerbell comes from the Peter Pan book written by J.M. Barrie. In the story, Tinkerbell is generally kind to peter pan, but she can also be a mean and vindictive fairy. This almost duel personality is said to be because of Tinkerbell's small size and this stops her from holding more than one feeling at a time. A Tinkerbell costume is usually green in colour, she has wings and often a wand as well.

For more check out my post on Tinkerbell Costumes

Fairy Halloween Costumes
As mentioned above, fairies are not always good and therefore why not try something different for Halloween by choosing a Fairy Halloween Costume, there is actually a pretty big selection of dark fairy costumes available. It is even said that When God banished a bunch of angels from heaven, those that were really bad, went to hell and became devils and those that were caught in between heaven and hell became fairies. With this in mind there are fairy costumes like the Evil Fairy Costume, the Dark Sexy Fairy Costume and even a red devil Tinker bell costume called Tinkerhell!

Some more ideas for your fairy fancy dress costumes:
Fairy Godmother Costume
Tooth Fairy Costume

Check out this fairy costume page for more ideas

Pattern Sale!

Now thru Monday 11-19 I am having a sale on all of my E Patterns at Pattern Mart All E Patterns are 3.50. These are Instant Downloads so as soon as you make your payment via Paypal they are available to you to download to your computer and then you can print them out and they print just like a regular pattern with a cover, color photo, full size pattern pieces and instructions. You can see my patterns posted in the right hand column or click HERE

Best Ever Thanksgiving Dressing

One week from today and I start my Thanksgiving cooking and one of my favorite recipes is this one for the absolute best ever dressing. It is the recipe of Amy Main and I've made it for the past several years ever since she first shared it with me.
It's a very moist dressing that's made in the crockpot, which I love because it frees up oven space and once you start it you don't have to worry about it. It's simple, easy and delicious! Enjoy!

Amy Main's Best Ever Moistest Ever Dressing

1 cup butter
2 cups chopped onions
2 cups chopped celery
1/4 cup parsley sprigs, chopped
2-4 oz cans sliced mushrooms, drained
12-13 cups slightly dry bread cubes
1 t. poultry seasoning
1/2 t. salt and pepper
1 1/2 t. sage
2-2 1/2 cups chicken broth (I use the boullion to make this)
2 eggs, beaten

Melt butter in skillet and saute onion, celery, parsley and mushrooms. Pour over bread cubes in a very large mixing bowl. Add all other seasonings and toss well. Pour enough broth to moisten; add beaten eggs and mix well. Pack lightly into crockpot. Cover and cook on high for 45 minutes; reduce to low for 4-8 hours. 6 servings

Thanksgiving Postcards

Where is the time going! Thanksgiving is almost here, so I thought I'd share some of my favorite vintage Thanksgiving postcards with you. Please feel free to save them and use them. Just right click on the image and save it to your hard drive. Please do not link directly to them. Also if you left click on the images they will enlarge.

These would be great to use for invitations, place cards or print and set about your Thanksgiving decorations. Anyway you choose them--enjoy!

Star Wars Yoda Costume

Yoda Costume

Sticking with the Star Wars Costume theme, but not with the obvious choices of a Darth Vader Costume, Jedi Costume or a Princess Leia Costume, a Yoda Costume could be just the ticket

In the Star Wars films, Yoda is at wise and very powerful Jedi Master he first appeared in The Empire Strikes Back as a strange little creature who goes on to train Luke Skywalker to become a Jedi Knight.

Although Yoda is small and looks pretty frail, he is a master in combat, using the lightsaber as he mostly relies on “the force” over physical power, this is shown to best effect in the Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones when Yoda duels with Separatist leader and Sith Lord Count Dooku, who also happened to be Yoda's Jedi apprentice in the past. This battle only ends with Dooku escaping by threatening Yoda's injured comrades, Anakin and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

For more Yoda Costume and Star Wars Costume Ideas check out the Jokers' Masquerade Fancy Dress Website.

Princess Leia Costume

Princess Leia Costume

Star Wars has always been a very popular theme for fancy dress, with most people choosing a Darth Vader Costume, Jedi Costume or Yoda Costume, why not, if you are a female choose a Princess Leia Costume for your next fancy dress party?

In the Star Wars films, Princess Leia is actually daughter of Darth Vader and also the twin sister of Luke Skywalker, great news for your partner as he can dress as either character and you can go as a couple!

As a baby Princess Leia (Leia Amidala Skywalker) was placed in the care of Senator Viceroy Bail Organa and his wife Queen Breha after the death of her real mother and the fall of her father (Darth Vader) and the separation between her and Luke and unlike Luke, Princess Leia has vague memories of her real mother. Princess Leia eventually joins the Imperial Senate and uses her position to help the Rebel Alliance.

For more Princess Leia Costume and other Star Wars Costume ideas check out the Jokers' Masquerade website

Show & Tell Friday--Ironing Board Cupboard & Knott's Berry Farm

For this weeks Show & Tell Friday I have 2 things to share.

First, what's inside this long skinny cupboard in my kitchen? (the doll was made for me by an online friend Sandra Kazmierski)


Why it's an ironing board! And believe it or not I do use it and it is quite handy. I just open the cupboard and pull down the ironing board and iron away. However I haven't found a good spot to keep my iron nearby yet. The iron is wider that the cupboard and the little cabinet next to it holds baking dishes. I wonder where the other women stored their irons? Isn't the little Scotty dog print on the cover cute. The house was built in the early 1900's, but I don't think this little cupboard came til later--maybe the 1930's or 40's. I'm sure it must have been a very modern thing to have at the time and now it's become something cute to have--but still very functional. How times change.


Here's the stamp that is inside the back wall of the ironing cuboboard. Even it's cute!


Ok, now for my 2nd thing to share. Check out the Show & Tell of Ellen B of the Happy Wanderer . She has a similar photo of her parents taken at Knott's Berry Farm in the 1950's. This one is of me (in the center) and my cousins Cheri and Merry Jo taken in 1964 when I was 3 yrs old. I thought it was pretty neat to see that we both had similar photos. Ellen do you think anyone else out there has one to add to ours? If so please share it with us. I know I'd love to see it.

Don't forget to see all the other Show & Tells by visiting our hostess Kelli's blog. Happy Friday!

Thanksgiving Decor and the Ugly Turkey Collection

I may not be totally unpacked everywhere, but I do have my Thanksgiving decor up and ready. I also thought I'd share my ugly turkey collection that I started about 3 years ago.

The sun is streaming in thru the dining room windows warming the turkeys and pumpkins that sit upon the window seat...................


Center of the window seat...........


The other end of the window seat where Ella the punkin' head doll sits to keep an eye all the pumpkins and turkey with her great big grin..........

The mantle shelf my brother gave me a few years back---one of my very favorite things, because I can decorate it with so much year round. (gotta fix that one stray cord!)


A few close-ups of what's on the mantle shelf...........





The ugly turkey on the very end is what started my collection of ugly turkeys a few years back. Whatever the glaze/coloring that is on him reminded of some pottery my grandmother had when I was growing up that I wasn't particulary fond of and for some reason he said take me home and since then I've found a few other turkeys with that same glaze and in different colors, so I nab them up and take them home--along with any other ugly little turkey I find.............


More turkeys with the same glaze only in different colors and sizes.....




The little squirrel nutcracker with his winters store...........


The fireplace mantle in the living room with the lovely gold wallpaper--which really isn't too bad since there is so much wood in there, so it'll stay until I figure out what to do in there.


This darling turkey and cornstalk ornie is from the Fall Ornie Swap I did with my friends at the P&R. It's is by Robin Leuschen of Bird in Hand Primitives Be sure to check out her website too--she offers the E Pattern for this little guy...........


Fall leaves by Christy Masters.....


Indian corn by Mags Benson................


More of the ugly turkey collection...........






More ornies........ autumn bag is by Kathi Rode..........


Acorn by me................

Pilgrim couple in pumpkin is by Sandy Schutt....


Gourd by Phyllis Shows............


Cornucopia by Christine Shepard.......

Punchneedle turkey by Paula Eaches.......


I hope to find a turkey or two this year to add to my collection. There's still lots of space to fill! Gobble Gobble!