Another Christmas Story

We all have special moments in our lives. Moments that reach deep within our hearts and touch us with a very special feeling.
A while back I was chatting with a friend and in conversation told her about a spicific kind of jewelry I collect. That collection is displayed on a quilted Christmas tree. I do not buy the pieces in my collection, it is made up of the love of friends who find the pieces at garage sales, family jewel boxes etc. I told her to keep a look out. I while later she sent me pictures of some pieces she had found, while they all fit the bill one just stood up and screamed at me. When I told her which one, she laughed and said her daughters had already looked it up and it was selling on EBAY for $125. Holy cow!! I'm not collecting for that reason and had no idea of the worth. I told her to keep looking..LOL
So yesterday I get a package in the mail. I assumed it was the "Artful Bag" I've been waiting for in a swap. It wasn't...It was a beautiful little stocking from my friend..adorned with an ornament and gift tag. Inside was a tiny package also adorned with small peppermint ornaments... You know where I'm going with this don't you?

It takes a special kind of person , especially in todays times, to look beyond the monitary value of something and think of a friend. To say to themselves that the friends happiness is worth far more...Yes indeed, it takes a special person and I'm so blessed to have her as a friend.
Ironically, I didn't display the quilted tree this year...too much stress and pressure for some reason...But thats okay because I plan to wear that pin all season anyway...I just LOVE it. It is truly a gift from the heart...Isn't that what it's all about? Merry Christmas to all!!!

Christmas Eve

The only thing left to do is sit back and enjoy my company...Oh and cook LOL I'm going to bake some cookies this morning, since I haven't done that yet...just some Snowballs and Hooty Creeks. Not my usual but it will have to do. I have crab cakes and shrimp to start, followed by a garden salad with the works, followed by baked ham, coconut creamed spinach, hubbard squash with cranberries and dilled carrots.
Then the ladies will sit in the living room and exchange gifts, followed by desserts...
We were told there would be no snow this Christmas..."No snow/"  I said. I live in the mountains, how can we NOT have a white Christmas? My Angels simply will not allow that...I woke up to it snowing...Looks like the Angels came through again <big grin>

So this is what I finished up yesterday...a gourd Snowman and my recycled boxes (cereal, Goldfish etc.) made into gift bags....

The HOme stretch

Whew! I think everyone is down to the wire this year. I'm always way ahead but not this year. While I would like to make more and do more, I am just plum wore out. Stick a fork in me cause I'm done!
I'm finishing up a large gourd snow person and then it is onto swaps...I started to think of what I have to do, or actually finish over the next few days and I got tired LOL
I've got my mannequin which thank goodness was done but now that I have extra time I think I'll add to it.
I've got my altered book...that threw me for a loop for a while but I think I've got it. Tin Lizzie is waiting for her do dads and I have a flip flip card that I actually made but after I flipped and flopped it a few times it really flopped, as in  'fell apart'...evidently I scored to deep LOL
I think once this Christmas Eve gathering is over, I will be a lot calmer. Right now I'm in food prep mode. What to have...well aside from the Ham and several sides...it's going to be a buffet, this way everyone gets hot food...
My recycled goldfish boxes worked out well as gift bags. The peacocks love those little snack fish and the boxes are so sturdy I hate to throw them out, so I make them into gift bags...I'll have to take a picture after I finish this snow person. Everyone laughs at me for saving trash...well who's laughing now? LOL They are spending money on gift bags and I'm recycling old boxes and Christmas cards....
If you are reading this and getting ready to start running for the day...remember to stay hydrated. If you'll be in a store there is no reason to wear heavy clothes, you'll just sweat and then get sick. So stay healthy and be happy...the crazies are almost over :-)

Another Happy Mail Day!!!

What a fun day I've had...I did the usual...animals, cleaning , laundry <yawn> then I got to play in my studio. I've got so much half completed I figured I better at least finish something. Of course I went right to my Steampunk doll. Oh have I told you? I'm in a swap and the Theme is Steampunk. Since it's mostly a paper group (mixed media) I don't have any idea of even how to approach a paper doll and make it look good so I'm falling back on fabric. originally it was going to be made from a gourd...but then I ordered a pattern from Susan at Frowning Francis and it inspired me to go back to fabric. I had to make my own pattern but what I saw in Steampunk Buddies certainly inspired me. I just Love Susan's patterns..although I usually do alter them to make them my own.
Anyway I had to fore go "Tin Lizzie" the name my Steampunk doll picked...because other projects were shouting. Since they are Christmas they have to come first.
As I was finishing up my snowman ornament for a friend Rich brought me Happy Mail...Look what I got from TG, the owner of Artforthecreativemind ...

is that a pack of

paper or what? I could see cards, postcards and ATC's dancing in my head..Mind you , I'm just starting with paper...What a beautiful assortment, I was just thrilled.

Then I opened a box from Sherry Goshen. If you don't know who Sherry is, Google her name. Sherry is not only a fabulous doll artist, pattern  maker and teacher. She is also one of the sweetest people on the planet.

Check her out. I've wanted a "Sherry" doll, in fact I think I mentioned her when I told you all about Kandy Korn. Look at what was in the box...along with one of her fabulous patterns...

How cool are those dolls? She has tons of patterns for sale, so make sure you stop by her Blog. Doll Makers Journey also sells her patterns.
Now my little project pales in comparison but he is cute and I think the person receiving him will love him.

With his little fleece hat and scarf he is all ready to present a poinsettia to his new owner. But she better watch out because he has some pre-made snowballs just waiting to surprise someone.
Living in an enchanted forest on the top of a mountain where animals and fairies abide is a dream come true. I wish everyone could be as happy as I am......



Introducing Peppermint Pat

LOL or maybe Candace Cane? All I know is I had a ball making her...made several for some friends.

I'm sure I don't have to tell you what she is made out of. Gee maybe Pepperpot Patty would have worked better LOL I always think making these kinds of things will be easy...as opposed to sewing...but then I start and realize there is a lot more painting then I thought. It was a great diversion from all the sewing I've been doing. next in line as far as Christmas goes are two purses. Dare I try for a lap quilt? and then it is on to group swaps ...Shhhh don't tell but I'm already working on one...a little dictator I have yet to name..
Stay tuned....

My Christmas Miracle

I want to introduce you to my inspiration. The reason I am able to face even the hardest of days with a smile.
Do I have better pictures..Oh yes, without a doubt, but none that means more to me then this one.
Yesterday we celebrated Matt's 57th BD. That number may not be special to you, but it means the world to me. It is a Birthday Matt was never supposed to celebrate. We were told he would not live past 40 and that would be a gift .
The fact that Matt was born with diabetes plays a roll in how his life played out. There wasn't a great deal known about diabetes back then. I can remember boiling his glass needles, checking the actual needle for burr's..Having to mix NPH insulin with regular in order to maintain him throughout the day. Yes, we had a Mom, but at the age of 9 I had read everything I could find and educated the family.
I will shorten this story as best I can, but I think it bears an important lesson. Insulin takes an terrible toll on the body and Matt's kidneys eventually succumbed to the disease . He was put on dialysis, needed a quadruple by -pass or they wouldn't put him on the transplant list. He had the by-pass  and was put on the transplant list , his by-pass failed, he was removed from the transplant list and sent home to die...Why? Because No Doctor would touch him  and perform another  by -pass. It was much too risky. By now he was the father of twins (a miracle in itself) . I made up hundreds of little angels and attached them to a card. I called them Matthews Angel and on the card I asked that people keep him in their prayers. I found it odd, that out of all the strangers I handed that card to, not one person refused it.Through all of this Matt never lost his sense of humor or his hope for the future which I found admirable. A fabulous Doctor in Columbia Presbyterian finally took the chance at another by-pass. It was at that time he was told his wife was leaving him for another man. Matt's response? He didn't blame her, "it was difficult being married to a sick man". He eventually had a double transplant (kidney and pancreas) but the pancreas was short lived. They had nicked it in surgery and after two days in excruciating pain, they removed it, mean while his job shut down, this was a large company where he had worked for over 20 years. Now he was left with no medical insurance. Which under normal conditions would be terrible, but for my brother ,he now faced $2,500 worth of drugs each month with no insurance to pay for them. Medicare does not cover anti rejection drugs. But still he found reason to smile, after all, he was still alive. In due time he did get another pancreas.
People who are faced with the death of a loved one, that can raise above their grief to help another are the unsung hero's of the human race. Not a day goes by that I do not remember my brothers donors in a prayer.
After 10 years, Matt's kidney finally failed and he has been back on dialysis for several years now, while on dialysis he contracted Hepatitis B and until he can get a doctor to pass him, he is off the transplant list once again. The drugs rotted his teeth, so last year we made sure he got new ones...I missed that smile...now he also needs a note from his heart doctor saying he is strong enough to face another transplant. And we all think we have such BIG problems. This is a man who, from the time he was born, has managed to smile at every bit of adversity thrown his way. I am not sure I could have faced all that he has and kept smiling. Could you? Don't get me wrong, he isn't perfect, sometimes he drives me crazy, sometimes I just want to scream, but he will always be my inspiration to face each day with a smile.
There are people in this world that hold a grudge to the extreme, that continue to whine about the silliest of things and cry because there life is so hard or because they are faced with illness. Then there are those like Matt, who at times can't even afford food because he needs expensive drugs to stay alive. People who in spite of ALL the hardships thrown their way still manage to smile and find a reason to be happy.
For Matt it was getting a silly little Christmas Tree (I just had to know he had a tree in his apartment) and celebrating a Birthday that was never suppose to happen.

He is not a sweet eater so his BD "cake" was a brownie. The glass of ice you see, is because he can't drink a lot. His fluid is measured on dialysis, so instead of drinking, he sucks on crushed ice to quench his thirst. And still he smiles...

The Primitive Hutch: Something To Crow About Giveaway!!!

The Primitive Hutch: Something To Crow About Giveaway!!!