It is the Little Things that Bring us the Greatest JOY!

Isn't this card so cute. It reminded me of my dear Aunt Marion. She passed away several years ago. Every Christmas, I would receive a card from her with a mouse on it. I didn't know how she would find them year after year. It is funny how even now, when I see a mouse I think of her. She was such a fun Aunt. She would take me to the movies-the awful teen movies and acted like she loved them. I remember going to see The Village People with her. She was an amazing sewer. My mom and her stayed up all night to reupholster a chair and when my dad was sick, she was the one who came to stay with me. I was lucky to have her in my life.

Here is another memory. My letter from Santa dated Christmas Morn, 1978. It was typed on a typewriter from the North Pole and it talked about how I sassed my family. Every Christmas, I hated to read what I was doing wrong in the Santa letter. Finally, the letters stopped...thank goodness.

A little thing-

I created this house in a class taught by Charlotte Lyons. She is just amazing. She gave us the pattern and paper and we went to town. I decided on using fabric to cover my paper box and house. Ali helped me get the project done. She would hold the house so it could dry and I would work on another part. I am lucky to have such sweet friends. I am a pink and green girl so this little house will stay up all year long in my studio.

Meet Marion the Mouse...yes, she was named after my dear Aunt. She lives in my studio and is quite nice and doesn't shred paper or leave droppings like real mice do. She sits very properly in her "Made in England" tea cup. Charlotte Lyons made this darling mouse and her sister and brothers are for sale on her blog.
http://www.housewrenstudio.typepad.com/

I had to share this book with you. It is called Trimmings! I bought it last year at Michael's Craft Store. It is beautifully photographed and full of fantastic craft ideas. The patterns are included. I pull it out and always see something new to create. Here is a preview of what is inside. The house reminds me of the one I made with Charlotte.

Enjoy the little things this holiday.... Season's Greetings!

Welcome to My Home for the Holidays

I wish you were here...the stockings are hung and our blessing have been counted. We have so much to be thankful for this season. Come inside my home and see how I have decorated. I don't do a lot just a little here and there. I try to add to it each year.

First, I would like to share with you our version of the advent calendar. We have candy canes that hang on a little banner my mom made. She even wrote a poem to go along with the festivities. Because it is the season of giving, my children have to share this sweet treat. We flip a coin to decide whom will go first. There is not many candy canes left. Christmas is here!

Come into my entry way. My chandelier looks more like a bird cage. I have always loved how unique it is. It is perfect for hanging ornaments and greenery to. Don't get caught under the mistletoe or maybe you want to linger awhile there.

Garlands line my stairs. I found non-breakable ornaments this year. They are nice to have when you have young kids running up and down the stairs.

Beautiful ornaments and a snowman sitting in a button wreath will welcome you into my home. Above the mirror is a Glisten banner. It is truly one of my favorite things.

Peek into my dinning room. It is the home of my Santa collection.

Each Santa is hand-carved and painted. The artist who made these is a local Kansas City Artist. He is no longer living but is always remembered with his lovely creations nestled in my display case.

This snowman and his snow pup live under my coat tree. Can you believe I won him? He was in a drawing at a Hallmark store. The dog barks "Jingle Bells" and drive our poor Coco crazy.

Shane and I have had this tree for 16 years. It is starting to lean to one side and no it is not pre-lite. My mom helps me light up the tree. If it was up to dear Shane it would have one strand of lights on it.

I treasure my photos with Santa. It captures how fast they have grown.

Welcome to the hearth room. It has all my hand-made ornaments from the Peppermint Twist line. Still a favorite K and Company line of mine.

This candle holder my mom had made at a department store in downtown Kansas City. The department store no longer exists. She said she thought she was really something when she bought it. She picked out the one she wanted and the sale clerk made it right in front of her. Those were the days. She displayed it in her home for 35 years. Now, it is my turn.

Here is Miss H's room. She has a glittery green tinsel tree. She has been making ornaments from recycled containers. She plans to make an earth for the top of the tree.

Little Mr. S wanted a white tree with colored lights. His tree sets on his train table which really is a car lot. He parks all his cars around it to admire the beautiful lights.

My bedroom fireplace has a few decorations. It is the tree on my dresser that I love the most. It was my Grandma Olga's. My mom had bought it for her. After she passed away, I was given the tree. It just makes my room glow. The banner hanging above the mirror, I made in a class with the lovely Pam Garrison. It is made from wall paper and Stickles.

Happy Holidays,

An Easy Christmas Craft and Spotlight Information

I made these 2 round frames with very little supplies and very low cost. The paper is from the line by K and Company called Christmas Cheer. It has that Victorian look that I really love. The embellished Christmas tree and the ornaments all come from paper within the line. I added rhinestones and ribbon. Now, here is the secret. The frames were not purchased at a fine craft store but recycled from a Thrift store. It is amazing what you can find in a Thrift store to alter. My favorite spot is a Thrift store where all the proceeds go to the Veterans. It truly is the best one and the cheapest. The frames were tied together with some ugly cording and they had glass in them. I removed both the glass and the cording. Sometimes you just have to think outside the box and you can create a little treasure.

I have received many emails regarding the spotlights that I made for 2 Scrappy Sisters. Before the store closed, I designed 4 layouts to finish off the year. If you purchased the entire year of spotlights, then these would have been your last ones. September, October, November, and December. I have had a wonderful time making these and I am so sad that it all has come to an end. I truly miss the store and the friendships that came from it. The Scrappy Sister's are still selling kits from their on-line store. You can contact them about the layouts here and purchase many more new kits: http://www.scrappysisterskits.com/

I hope this helps with any confusion regarding the spotlight layouts that were purchased for the entire year.