Ding Dong Merrily on High. . .

Sunday, December 20, 2009

The Christmas bells are ringing!! I made these ornaments as place cards for our departmental lunch tomorrow. There are two different types: ones with paint drizzled on the inside and others with a stained glass effect. I took puffy paint and wrote each person's name and the date on them. I'm glad these are done and they turned out pretty.

I can't believe Christmas is Friday. This has been a stressful and busy holiday season and I'm looking forward to next weekend when I can wind down a little bit. Don't tell, but I'm actually a little tired of making Christmas things and I'm looking forward to some projects I've put on the back burner during the season.

In nook news, I've been delayed to a Dec 24th delivery. I'm not sure if Barnes and Noble will make that. I'm not thrilled with how they've has handled production problems, mainly because they have waited until late in the evening on the day nook is supposed to ship to let customers know that it will be delayed. On the other hand, the word is out that they will be providing a nice gift card for those of us who don't get it on Christmas. That sounds pretty good. I understand that when you choose the first version of the product you may have to deal with some issues as they work out the bugs. I still can't wait to get it.

I think I'm almost ready for Santa. We're hosting Christmas Eve so that's the last thing I have to prepare for, except for the actual day, but we are going to my Dad's for that so I won't need to cook. I always make our traditional Christmas breakfast of cinnamon rolls, orange juice, and bacon. I have no idea how or why we started that, but I think it's easy to munch while we play with our new toys.

Christmas Flurry

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Why oh why oh why do I take on so much right before Christmas? I think many of you know what that feels like. You know, a couple of weeks ago it seemed like a grand idea to make ornaments as place cards for my department luncheon on the 21st. Tonight I'm thinking I'm certifiable! I have to say that the ornaments are coming along beautifully. The artist? Not so much! I'll show you them soon because they are really pretty. I'll give you a little teaser. They are clear glass ones that I have either created stained glass on or have drizzled paint inside for a beautiful, marbled effect.

So, surprise surprise, I have two wreaths to show, but these are not intended for sale, although if someone begged and pleaded I probably would let them go. I love cardinals and have them all over the place in my house. They remind me of my mother.

This wreath has a more natural look, with pine branches and two big bows with cardinals on the ribbon. I found the cardinals at Dollar Tree and my daughter and I pretty well cleaned them out. Aren't they so sweet?

This other one is a departure from the grapevine wreaths I've been using lately. This was a wreath I made years ago and it was in dire need of updating.

I pretty much used up everything I had for my earlier wreaths project. The ribbon has pretty ornaments on it and there are birds and poinsettias all over this one. I think it could be my favorite so far!

As if I'm not busy enough, tomorrow is our Secret Santa gift exchange and potluck. I've spent the evening making my famous Cranberry Dream Salad, which is a holiday tradition at my house. I made my Secret Santa a stained glass ornament last week, and tomorrow I have a Willow Tree Angel and a crochet book for her (she crochets with me at break in the afternoon). But of course I had to have a tiny handmade thing to give, so I made another of these little angels. They are so adorable! I glued a pin on the back of this one so she can wear it.

On a sad note, a beloved elderly aunt of my husband passed away yesterday and we will miss her tremendously. Such a loss is doubly hard during this season of family, but we can be comforted that she is out of pain and in the care of real angels.

Choosing the "Right" Stairs

Saturday, December 12, 2009

During HBS' 40% off sale earlier in the year I ordered the curved staircase that I've been planning on installing in my San Fran. But to be honest, I wasn't really thrilled with it. Somehow I made a mistake and ordered a left curving staircase and all this time I was sure it would be just fine, but the more I looked at it the more it annoyed me and just didn't feel right.

Here is the San Fran with the left curving staircase. It has always kind of bothered me that the back of the stairs faces the back where I like to admire the furnishings. And it doesn't help matters that the back wasn't stained quite right. The stairs almost come right in front of the front door as well, which is a really annoying trait as well.

After careful consideration, I decided that there was no need to "live with" a staircase that annoyed me. February will mark three years I've been working on this house and that is just too much of a commitment to dislike the focal point of the first floor. So I ordered a right curving staircase.

I have no less than six other houses (seven if you count the rescued Tennyson) in various stages of completion, so I'm sure the old staircase will find a home with one of them. My daughter said the other day that there is a dollhouse kit under every bed around here, and some beds have two! Shhhhhhhhhh. . . . Nobody needs to be reminded of that fact!

So here is the San Fran with the right facing staircase, and I just think it works so much better! Yes, it needs to be stained, but it just opens up the first floor and shows off the lovely curve of the stairs. I'm so glad I made the decision to do this- I'm so much happier with it!

Also, notice the grand piano in the left corner of the first floor. I found it on eBay for a very good price, and it plays music too. The house announced she wanted a piano so a piano she got. Some of these houses can be very demanding you know?

She also got a white birdcage and a cockatiel for the ladies parlour. I'll show that off later.

So somehow I am making progress on the San Fran even with all the Christmas craziness going on. I don't know about you, but it seems the busier I am the more I get done. Strange but true!

It won't be long before this lovely house will need to be moved to the garage to get her floors and shingles stained. I'm hoping to have her completed before my birthday rolls around in February.

Welcome New Followers!

Friday, December 11, 2009

Good heavens, I have five new followers! That's very exciting! Welcome to you all.

First is marivigano of http://marivigano.blogspot.com/ Her blog is in Spanish and so I am totally clueless unless I get out my friend bablefish, but she has a really cute site and some great pictures of minis.

Next is Marsha of http://sassyminidolls.blogspot.com/. I love the look of her blog. It's kind of retro and shabby chic at the same time and I love to read what she writes.

Then we have Deborah of http://dlsarmywife.blogspot.com/. She's an awesome polymer clay artist! She has a really cute blog and I know exactly how she feels when she says, wow, someone actually reads this stuff I write?!

Next up is Amana of http://anamavesi-minis.blogspot.com/ Amana is from Buenas Aires. Do any of you know that a somewhat guilty pleasure of mine is Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita? So when I saw that Amana was from Buenos Aires I immediately started humming "What's New Bueunos Aires?" which is one of my favorite songs from the play. :)

Finally is Lúcia Soares. I didn't see a lonk for her blog but that's OK. You are welcome here!

So thank you so much for joining the mischief here. I never thought anyone would even care what I wrote when I began blogging and now I have 60 followers. I'm grateful and happy to have you all here. :)

Angel Snowflake Wreath

Thursday, December 10, 2009

This wreath is kind of special to me. My friend at work has been a great salesperson for my wreath making adventure. She asked me to make a wreath for her that had her "angels" or grand kids on it.

She said her decorations were all silver and white with lots of snowflakes this year, so this is what I came up with. I used some of the left over ribbon from the Hanukkah wreath. It's just such a gorgeous ribbon!

The little angels are crocheted with little buttons for faces. They are so easy and so adorable! Here's a closeup of the little angels.

My daughter suggested the white poinsettias and I think they finish this one off nicely. My friend loved it and I'm so glad she's happy with it!

Eagerly Awaiting Nook. . .

I think I have mentioned (several times I'm sure) that I am an avid reader. I love, love, love books! But they sure take up a lot of room. That got me to thinking about an ereader. Store your books in one place. Sounds good. Download them wirelessly. Sounds great. Store 1,500 books on it, and more with an SD card. Keep talking!

I've been eyeing the Kindle from Amazon for a while, but my favorite bookstore, Barnes and Noble, announced their ereader in October and I couldn't resist. Luckily my wreath making allowed me to treat myself to this semi-expensive electronic gadget.


I had trouble actually clicking the button to order. I mean, how can I justify spending the money on something for only me, and just before Christmas no less? But then I convinced myself I worked hard making wreaths and I deserve this little gadget that I've been wanting for ages.

So I ordered on November 14th, thinking I'd be in the November 30th ship group. What was I thinking???? I got a ship date of December 18th. Noooo! I want it now!

I've been waiting over three weeks for my little Nook. I feel like a kid waiting for Santa to come. Now it appears they are running a bit behind in shipping. I have my fingers crossed they are getting production up to speed and I'll see my nook before Christmas. Please, Santa, I've been a good girl this year. At least, for the most part. . .

I hope my nook gets here soon! I'll keep you updated. . .

Jingle Bells. . . Yes, It's Another Wreath

Monday, December 7, 2009

I guess practice make perfect because each new wreath I make I am happier with than the last.

One thing that helps is that I learned to make bows really well. I made two bows to decorate a basket for my company's holiday party on the way to the party Saturday night (yes, in the car). They really are that easy. So perhaps I'll do a tutorial for you just so you can see how easy they are and you can then make beautiful bows for your packages this Christmas. Anyone interested?

I really like this wreath. It has a crocheted poinsettia on the left, two gold poinsettia's above it, two very nice bows with gold and red poinsettia ribbon, and bells.

I love bells on a wreath, because when you open the door with the wreath, you hear it jingle. It's so festive!

Next up is another white, silver and blue wreath with angels and snowflakes for the theme. I think it will be very pretty. More soon!