THE SIMPLE JOY OF CHRISTMAS

Yesterday, my husband and I went to cut down our Christmas tree at a tree farm we discovered last year. It's about 40 miles south of our home, almost to the Michigan/Ohio border. The road traveled is a narrow two lane, country road that is lined with farmhouses, barns, & acres and acres of corn fields. I love the drive to this tree farm. I often think of how different it must be living out in this quiet atmosphere as compared with living in suburbia. My husband always says "No way would I live out here"..but I would move in a heartbeat!

Anyway...my husband has got to the sweetest,most patient man in the world! Going with me to pick out a tree is like taking a 6 year old girl to the American Girl Shop in Chicago! I have to admit...I am ridiculous...you would think I am picking out a tree for the White House! And the tree I usually pick out is one that is a little scrawny, a little too tall. and of course the trunk is ALWAYS crooked! This year, I opted for a shorter tree, but I love it!! It is a Canaan Fir and is sparse just in the right places. Decorating is done for this year. I'm planning on taking it easy and enjoying the prelude to Christmas. Sooooo..take care, my friends....and have a blessed week...enjoy this glorious Christmas Season!

AN OLDE FASHIONED CHRISTMAS

Don't you just dream of having an olde fashioned Christmas, in these hectic days of time restraints, modern technology, and commercialism? I often think of Christmas long ago, where the simplest of gifts were so appreciated. An orange, a piece of candy, a simple homemade ragdoll. My mom used to tell me that when she was little, growing up in Alabama, Christmas was a very low-keyed celebration. No Christmas tree, no sparkling wrapped gifts. She and her cousins was so happy to receive an orange and some candy. Of course..could you imagine yourself as a child gettng so little or giving our children only one or two items?

It amazes me how much Christmas still warms my heart. No matter how old I get...it is still a magical season to me. The coziness of our home, being able to see family and friends. And now being able to see the excitement in my grandchildrens' eyes. Some people dread the Holiday Season and can't wait for it to be over...for me....I love every minute of it, dread the day after Christmas and then wait with anticipation for the months ahead knowing that Christmas will be back again!

OPEN HOUSE ON THE TDIPT

It's hard to believe, but the Christmas Season will soon be upon us! I love November and December. It's always so much fun getting ready for the big day and this year will be no exception. The TDIPT Mercantile is having their annual "It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas" Open House starting this Sunday, November 1st. You can be sure that there will be lots of goodies offered from some of the most talented folk artists on the web!

A VISIT TO LORI'S

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of going to the Upper Pennisula, here in Michigan. My husband has several cousins that live in the western UP, Iron Mountain, Escanaba, and one even in Wisconsin. My main event, however, was going to visit my dear friend, Lori Rippey, who just happens to live a stone's throw away from one of the cousins. I was so fortunate to be able to visit with her in her beautiful, primitively decorated home on Friday afternoon. What a pleasure! I told her that the Country Sampler Magazine, needed to come to her home and do an article on her!

She made me a beautiful little wall quilt...her home is filled with her handmade quilts, her hooked rugs, and of course her dolls, that she designs herself. She also made me a gorgeous pincushion, as seen in the picture above. I then picked up a couple of her handmade dolls. Lori has such a way with aging her fabric. But...darn...she wouldn't tell me her secret...LOL! I don't blame her one bit! Check out her picturetrail...the link is on my sidebar. Lori is always making, creating new items to sell. You will not be disappointed! Plus you can see some really nice pictures of her home.

New Friends

I just love these little cloth dolls! Lori always puts her finishing touches in them to make them look so old...the little boy doll, I believe is my favorite! His sweet little face and clothes are so simple! Lori designed this doll after an early cloth doll that she has had for quite some time. The little girl doll, is so old and worn looking...she is very firmly stuffed with rags. I love how they look sitting on my early corner cupboard.

These are my fabulous "little quilts" made by my friend Lori Rippey. She does such a fantastic job and everything is by hand! I love her work!

HOOKING IN THE FALL

It's funny how my needlework hobbies seem to change like the seasons here in Michigan. In the spring and early summer, I love to do cross stitch. In the late summer, fall and winter months I love to rug hook and sew. I truly believe, that with the cooler temperatures, the "nester" seems to come out. This is a pattern I am working on. It is a little design I drew up and actually did a wool applique but then thought it would be a nice autumn rug.

I will be joining The TDIPT Mercantile October 15th and will list something new the 15th of every month. Please check out what this wonderfully, talented group of women have to offer on the 1st and the 15th.

SEWING RETREAT WEEKEND

For this month's AAPG weekend sewing retreat, the theme was "birds". Any type of bird....hooked, needle punched, cross stitched, or sewn. I had been under the weather with a nasty cold since Friday evening, so the best I could come up with was some little fabric birds, with wool wings, sized just right for my little metal umbrella tree. These retreats are so much fun! They really inspire you to "do something" even if you are in a slump!