More photo's of the tree skirt

Just thought taking a photo of each corner would allow you to take a closer look!
Such a happy snowman!

The Santa is decked out in his finest!

The reindeer is a handsome fellow!

The angel has interesting fabrics, especially her wings...there is some sparkly both on the fabric and I used a metallic thread to applique.

Christmas Tree Skirt

This Christmas Tree Skirt was quite a project...I have wanted to make it for several years but finally found the fabrics that were just right! Renee's House of Quilting in nearby Williamsburg, MI was where most of the fabric came from...a few pieces were from the Quilted Heart in Manistee, MI which is no longer in operation :(

The cutting & fusing took some time but to machine applique took me awhile but I am so happy with the end result!

The tabs on the edge are from wool felt and then I sewed alternating colors of buttons on each (pale pink, pale green, and an off white).

Snowflake Christmas Stocking

Our family members all had stockings but our newest little blessing did not...so off to the internet to find just the right pattern.
I ended up purchasing New Noel published by Leisure Arts...it is a pattern book by Linda Lum DeBono and was well worth the price.

The stocking went together well...time consuming to applique the snowflakes (a lot of sharp turns)...but the end result pleased me!

I am sure that Maggie will enjoy her stocking that will hold a lot of treasures! And did you check out the snowflake stocking holder...pretty sweet find, I would say!

All eight stockings hung by the chimney with care!
I made all of them and love unpacking the stockings each Christmas!

A touch of Christmas continues...

Note the smudges on either side of the floral display...they are not really visible in person but the handy dandy camera reminded me that last year, about this time, we were going to paint our bedroom...then along came a precious little granddaughter and the plan was scrapped (actually forgotten about). The smudges are where the hubby sanded down some rough spots.

Perhaps we will decide on a color sometime soon and paint the room a fresh new color!

The flowers are silk ranucula's in a deep pink and lime green, accented with some funky lime green swirlies (that you probably can't see), along with ivy and ferns. The ribbon matches the deep pink flowers and is sparkly!

Primitive Deer

As I have mentioned in prior posts, our home is situated in a wooded area and we are blessed to view nature at its best!

The first winter we lived here was an awesome experience...30-35 deer would frequent our yard looking for a handout. What pleasure they brought us!

I enjoy creating in the kitchen and in the sewing/crafting room and am always on the lookout for interesting patterns and or ideas to accent our home!

I stumbled upon the "primitive deer" pattern on the internet (Kentucky Primitives) and had to have it!!!!

The deer are quick and easy to make and are just perfectly behaved little creatures!

I used osnaburg fabric and then according to directions made a concoction consisting of coffee and cinnamon...spread it on the deer and baked for a few minutes.

As you can see the little tails are twine and attached using a safety pin...the legs are just branches you collect from your backyard. The little antlers take a little time to locate...but just be patient and you will find just the ones! I added a little greenery and some berries for neck decor'.

Festive Holly Towel

Christmas is approaching and the totes are being unpacked...slowly but surely! And perhaps the Christmas tree will go up this weekend????

I purchased several of the plaid towels and then decided they would make perfect gifts, if appliqued with a festive holly sprig...a pattern you ask???? Cookie cutters to the rescue! I just traced the holly leaf cutter on fusible web and then ironed on to the towels (washed/dried the towels first). I traced a coin for the berries and fused them in place. I used DMC floss (three strands) to blanket stitch around the edges of applique pieces.

The towels needed a little touch more of something...jumbo rick rack came to mind as did little seed beads. I stitched the rick rack on the towel and then stitched on the seed beads in groups of three randomly.

Makes for a cute little hostess gift!

Thanksgiving Favors

It is always a pleasure to make a little something for everyone to take home after a special holiday meal, and Thanksgiving was no exception!

I snapped many photo's but didn't have the best lighting and it is difficult to see that the little plastic tubes are partially lined with a festive scrapbooking paper and then filled with fall candy!

I saw this idea some time ago on a blog and filed it away in my head...waiting for just the right time. Ben found me some fluorescent tubing and cut it to size and then found some electrical "tops" that sealed off the tubes.

I found some ribbon to match the paper and then decided to gather a few acorns from the yard to add a little festive touch. Turkey stickers were placed atop the cap and to round out the idea I used my new paper punch for placecards.

Give Thanks!

The Good Lord continues to bless our family in so many ways and as we gather for Thanksgiving, we pause to give thanks!

We give thanks to Him for providing us with so much and we pray that we share our bounty with others not just on this Day of Thanks but everyday~

God, family, and friends are reasons to give thanks; along with good health, happiness, food, jobs...and the list goes on...

Thank you to everyone that makes my life complete and Happy Thanksgiving to each and every one of you!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Agnes' Sugar Cookies

If you ever have a craving for a melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookie, this is the go-to recipe!!!!
I snapped a couple of pictures but please don't judge the cookie by the poor photography...

Our family is honored to call Agnes Hardy a dear friend and this sugar cookie recipe comes from her. She is of Norwegian heritage and we credit her for many good cookie recipes...her krumkake are to die for! She also provided us with a yummy slush recipe that hits the spot in the warm summer months. When our two daughters were young and we would, as a family, go to see Uncle Dayton and Aunt Agnes...treats were always available. The girls always giggled when allowed to have a sip or two of the slush (it contains apricot brandy). Oh the memories...Uncle Dayton has passed on but Aunt Agnes continues on and blesses us more than she realizes!

Sugar Cookies:

1 cup softened butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup oil
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Cream the butter, sugars, and oil together well.
Add the eggs and vanilla, beat well.
Mix flour, soda, and cream of tartar; add to the butter mixture.
Chill dough.
Shape walnut-sized dough into balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet (I use parchment paper).
Press each cookie with a glass dipped in sugar...I use an antique miniature glass that has a beautiful cut glass shape on the bottom for pressing.

Bake for 9-12 minutes at 350 degrees.

These cookies absolutely melt in your mouth and try to eat just one...just try!

Many thanks to Agnes for sharing this recipe! We give thanks to her (and Dayton) for so many "things" but most importantly, their friendship!!!!

Veteran's Day

Thank you to all Veteran's but especially my Dad, Evert J. Erickson, who served honorably in World War II and bless his heart he came home safely!

Not many war stories were shared, but he was proud to serve his country. He did share a few close calls but never complained, that was his nature. The smile in the above picture pretty much tells the story of his life...I could not have asked for a more loving Dad!

Thanks, Dad!!!

Let us pray for peace!!!

Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald

Thirty five years ago tonight (November 10, 1975) the Edmund Fitzgerald ran into a violent storm on Lake Superior and sank with 29 crew members aboard. According to reports, the ship broke into two pieces and sank about 17 miles away from Whitefish Point, off Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The Captain lost radar and the light was not visible (or on) at Whitefish Point.

As you can see, in the pictures posted, thirty five years later, the weather is unseasonably warm and calm.

Various locations around the Great Lakes conduct memorial ceremonies every year to honor the crew members.

This is Lake Michigan on the night of November 10, 2010.

As the sun is setting one can remember the stormy night of November 10, 1975 and offer a little prayer for the tragedy...May the crew rest in peace and may the families know that we care.

Halloween-revisited

Both of our daughters teach elementary school and it is fun to treat them to fun "holiday" items.

The little pumpkin mug mat turned out so cute (it is made of wool felt). The pumpkin mug is filled with a lot of goodies, including a pencil topper also made of wool felt...cute little kitty to watch over the treats!
Of course there is a book for the teachers to read to their classes!

Oh what fun to be on the look-out for clever holiday gifts!!!

Fall Decor'

There is usually food on this serving tier but this time non-edibles made an appearance!

As you can see, a few fresh mum clusters made their way to safety from the cool out-of-doors as did the vinca vine and also the invasive vine that loves to crawl everywhere (but I do love it)!

Pinecones, dried pomegranites, seed pods, faux pears and artichokes are included in the display. There are also some acorns and dried leaves but I didn't get a clear picture of those.

The candleholders came from Pier One and the candles from Olsen-Sayles along with the "rings".

Enjoy getting your home ready for Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!

Pumpkin Cake Pops

I must admit that frustration was running through me as the orange candy melts just wouldn't melt...I attempted to melt them just as always...in my handy dandy chocolate melting pot. But, this time, it was a no-go so on to a solution. There Ben & I stood at the kitchen island spreading, with a knife, orange chocolate on the cake balls...tedious to say the least! But, hey...time spent in the kitchen with your spouse of 38 years...a good thing!

The supplies for our Halloween treats had been purchased ahead of time, to be sure this would go off without a hitch...oh my!
I had ordered food writing pens on the internet because I couldn't find them locally and was pretty excited that I would draw faces on the "pumpkin" cake pops. I guess the pen will wait for the next brain-storm!

We "dusted" the so-called pumpkins with halloween sprinkles and added a little green stem on top (a little candy cut in half)...packaged them up and tied with a Trick-Or-Treat ribbon.

Please head over to Bakerella for the recipe!!!