The Year Life Said Pay Attention

Happy New Year.
2012 was full of challenges and blessings. 
Brennan was born on his Great Gramma's 100th birthday.  She died 4 years ago tonight at one minute to midnight.  Miss you Mom and know you are watching over us.
The seemingly impossible was made possible with the gift of a liver transplant.
My brother visited.  My nieces visited and my son surprised me with a visit.
I got my first tattoo.
There was no sliding through this past year.  At every turn I was forced to sink or swim and to pay attention to my faith, my God.
Friends and family at every turn kept me going.  I have been blessed beyond measure.
In the next year I cannot imagine what will come my way.  I have learned to expect the unexpected and to be greatful for every moment. 

Leo in the snow

I got to spend ten days with this grandson and in April he will have a little  brother or sister come to join him. 
I hope to be more mindful of every moment in 2013 and to take better care of myself.  I want to see these beautiful grandchildren of mine grow up. 
Happy New Year and thank you God for this year. 
Anne
 

Doll Clothes

I finally bought a cabbage patch doll at Good Will today.  She almost tumbled into my wagon.  I had to take her home.  All she had were pink satin panties on.  Her little knobby belly button naked to the world.
Now she has a cozy sweater.

Knitting for dolls is so much fun.  Unlike your children you can keep hunting til you find one that actually fits into your creation...

She is pretty sweet in that funny Cabbage Patch way.  Now I need a name for her.
Anne

Fun With Boys

It has been so much fun watching big sister discover that little brother is fun!

Love to see them playing together.

This year Mya really anticipated and enjoyed Christmas!  We all did.  When there are children around it is just so much more fun. 
We have been so blessed this year and looking forward to another new baby in the spring from the northern team.

Waiting for more pictures to be sent!  Talk about anticipation...

Anne

Magical Christmas

The wonder in a little child's eyes at Christmas makes all the mess worth while!

Merry Christmas!
 

Christmas Eve Siesta Beach

'May the God of hope fill you
with all joy and peace as you
trust in Him, so that you
may overflow with hope by
the power of the Holy Spirit.'
Roman 15:13 NIV


Anne

Mya's Christmas Creche

My top item on my list today was to find a Creche for Mya to have this Christmas.  I found an old plaster and ceramic one at the local cat thrift shop.  It was perfect.   We had so much fun playing with it and talking about the baby Jesus.  Then we sang some Christmas songs.  Baby Brennan was sleeping peacefully in his swing in the background. 


The Magic of the Manger Scene

Mya got a musical snow globe too with Santa inside it!

Every one surrounding the Christ Child

Playing with Mary and Joseph

Mya has Mary well in hand.

Wonder through the eyes of a child

A wonderful way to spend some time with Mya and Brennan. 


Cherubs

 Merry Christmas

Anne
 

Doll Clothes Knit Crazy

Have once again been bit with the naked doll blues and want to knit them all new clothes.
Looking all over for my pile of patterns and can't find them, but I did pull out this one from Ravelry.

Sweet Tiny Hoodie
link

This is for an 8" Mini-Corolle doll 20cm.  Mini-Corolle Coat
My doll is a fat little 9" thrift shop find.  I used worsted weight instead of sport weight and it fits perfectly. 
Anne

Get Cool Boy

Get Cool Boy...

I am so in love and singing the song ' Cool ' from West Side Story...

Woolie Lambs

All day I have been thinking about Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. 
Praying alot and grieving makes me think about sheep and more importantly about The 23rd Psalm.



Our Ewe Freckles

 Freckles.  Not a very good picture of her. She was loved by my family when I was growing up.  I always think of her when I think of the 23rd Psalm and how when I was little hearing that psalm in church made me happy I had lambs and Freckles at home. 

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name' sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.

-- KJV

I think I will do some knitting tonight and let the wool run through my fingers. Knit, pray, knit, pray.

Anne

 

Surround Yourself

The best thing I could do last night was visit two of my grandchildren.

On such a dark day I looked for light and love.

My arms full of babies.

We decorated cookies.  Enjoying the sweetness of life.

Spent a reflective day today.  Praying for the families in Conn.  Praying for the futures of our children. 
Asking questions like why are we armed to the teeth?
Why is mental health care so far behind the needs for it?
Why do we have to lock our children into schools to make them safe?
I know God is with us. 
Hold us together Lord in the palm of your hand and help us to search the right ways in this world you have given us. 

Lambie

 

Tiny Socks

Tiny Wee Socks  and below is a link to a wonderful Etsy shop that makes and sells these.  The Sassy Sudbury Sisters!

These little socks are fun. Found the patterns on Ravelry.  Tiny Ornament Socks by Everwhelming Liz :here
The larger red sock is a Bernat pattern: here
So I now have socks in all sizes.

 

 

I made a mini mitten too

The mini mitten pattern I found on Ravelry is by Andrea Kopacek and you can find it : here

I have found a wonderful shop the Sassy Sudbury Sisters on Etsy link that makes these adorable little minis and you can just click here and order them for your gift giving!
But first take a look at how vibrant the colors are and how darn cute these are.



Etsy Shop
Sassy Sudbury Sisters

They have little mini crochet sweaters in their shop too you can find them here: link

Sassy Sudbury Sisters
on
Etsy

These little Mini Ornaments are fun.  I have so many little bits of yarn and hope to use up more of them making wee ornaments.



Lambie

Etsy Organization

Etsy organization or more Tra-La-La-La getting ready for Christmas.  When you have your Etsy buisness spread out all over the house and in every closet nook and cranny it becomes very stressful trying to decorate for Christmas. 

This is what I started with in my living room.  I won't show you the closets or my 3 corners of the family room as you would faint.

This is my mess as you walk in the front door of my house and into the livingroom.  Voila Etsy!


With the idea of getting things 'together' and some friendly competition from my friends on the Etsy Ivteam who are also organizing I went in search of shelves yesterday.  Well truth be told I was just going to an Estate Sale, but shelving was in the back of my mind someplace. 

These were at the Estate Sale for a great low price.

They got a good scrubbing in the front yard.

Skip offered to paint them white for me! 

They look amazing and Skip even attached them to the wall somehow for stability.  I was impressed.

It took several hours, but eventually everything that was in the living room and family room and the hall closet landed on the shelves in the garage.  Please don't look in my extra bedroom closet.

Now the livingroom can be decorated .

It is looking alot more like Christmas!

 

Angie is happy to have her room back.  She is just hoping something to eat will fall her way.

Merry Merry Merry Christmas!

Lambie

My Vintage Christmas Tree 2012

Sing to tune of 12 Days of Christmas....

My vintage white tree is up                                               
and I'm coll-ap-ap-sing
in my re-clin-er.

Broke
2
Shiny Brights
and
1 Pink Pig........tra la la la la
pearl garlands
My feet are sore
there's a beer in the
re-fridge-er-a-tor!

The top tilts
just a little bit
too-ooo-ooo
much .
You may ask me-ee
if I care.

I love vintage
orn-na-ments, but not
in the
waste bassss-ket.

On Christmas I will
love it twink-a-ling
in the early morn-ing
glare.

Let the Christ Child In...Please someone OOOOO-PPPen the Door!
Merry Christmas,
Lambie

Etsy Gifts Wrapped and Packed

Sometimes the last part is the best part.
While I love the hunt for vintage.  I enjoy the creative process upcycling shabby chic and finding new homes for vintage treasures, but eventually they are sold and it is time to say goodbye. 

 

 

Gift wrapping a shabby chic jewelry box for a little girl is lots of fun.  Pretty lavender tissue paper and silky white satin ribbon along with my handmade tag and it is good to go off on it's journey. 

My shabby chic jewelry boxes are almost sold out.  With US Mail Priority Shipping there is still time to get the last ones delivered.
I love this one  link  here.

 It will be hard to part with. 
I can see it filling up with these great gifts from fellow Etsian's shops
Gifts like these:

Vintagebytheseashore's rhinestone earrings  link that sparkle with Christmas party cheer and make a wonderful stocking stuffer.

Delicate silver earrings perfect for everyday in Astrasshadow's shop link

A beautiful 1970's butterfly brooch to flutter on your sweater from
toparis  link
What ever your style or taste you can find great gifts from little private boutique shops on Etsy.  It's part of the fun to shop directly from the shop keeper and know your supporting a small buisness.
Everything handmade or vintage is available on Etsy link

Enjoy and leave the big box stores and malls to those who love to hunt for a parking spot after driving in traffic...

Weelambie/ Anne
xxoo