A chill in the air!

Do you think sugarplums have to be edible? The ones I dream about are just as sweet in their own way. Glittered in stitches and painted with the seasons colors. The Christmas itch is heavy this year for me. Another tree already purchased.  I can already see it decked out in blown glass memories. But for now I am busy filling up my work table with Christmas projects.

Holly leaves in shades of felt.

Over stripes of "peppermint" and points of trees.

Yes, all artistic liberties have been taken.  

The remaining blanket stitch and pillow form placement are mere days away.

I cannot stitch fast enough.

Inspiration from the talented Elizabeth are perched upon my shelves.

She too has is dreaming of sugarplums.

I bet her Bigsby department store carries just the kind I need? 

The list is long this year in the sewing department.

 Kids pajama bottoms

Matching pillow cases

Lap quilts

Dish towels

The excitement is building...

Long overdue...

It appears my desire for decals have worn off on my friends. The very sweet Miss Donna of Donna's Lavender Nest sent a wonderful birthday gift weeks ago. I am long overdue with a proper thank you. Packages in the mail always touch my heart at how "Perfectly Me" they always are. 

Enamelware and lace.

A stitched up kitty tucked into a Cinderella slipper.

...and a matching high chair to the recent rocking chair I purchased!

Miss Donna you've spoiled me and I can't thank you enough. 

Good Junk, the kind I like, arrived this week in the mail.

Just because. 

From a dear friend Deb of Garage Sale Gal. 

Tucked into the envelope was this darling poem.

Not only does Deb always find "Good Junk" she is always willing to share.

Thank you so much ladies for always sending such beautiful and personal gifts. 

Chin up...

Chin up is an endearing term my sweet best friend Amy and I use. Sometimes several times a day to one another. We pass each other in the car line taking our kiddos to school.  If we are needing a pep talk during the day...chin up...can be seen across our texting screen. I have needed a lot of chin up conversations lately...Amy and her husband Jeff have blessed me with many. This sweet card image reminds me to lift my head and move forward. Something that I have been doing with the love and help of all my friends...I am blessed.

Chin up...on the day this amazing package arrived. Facilitated by the none other than Miss Elizabeth of Creative Breathing.

A friend from the beginning of the journey in blog land who continues to wrap her loving arms around me and share in all the ups and downs.

A gathering of hearts from friends across the miles.

Crafted with me in mind as a virtual hug.

Time spent writing notes of encouragement and perfectly cut images from ladies that took moments out of their day to let me know they were concerned.

Wrapped in prayers and well wishes. 

Words of encouragement and love.

Prayers of hope and strength.

Poems, cards and beaded hearts to fill the gaps in mine.

All so beautifully made and packaged. 

I went through each one. Mesmerized by the stitches, cuts and time taken. All the notes read and re-read. Knowing so many people shared in my pain, cared about my little world and most of all held a piece of my heart with them.

Thank you to all the lovely ladies who helped create a box full of love. They are treasured beyond words. Miss E, thank you for all your work in making this box of hearts lead to many days of "chin up". 

Other peoples quilts.

 Vintage can summon up memories from the past. It can remind you of the things you didn't have. Sometimes it can help you complete someone elses dream. I think about these things when I drift up and down the hallways or in and out of houses at sales.  Who played with this and why did they keep it? Other times I wonder why some things went unfinished.

This work in progress was found in pieces. I have managed to finish it into a lap size quilt. It was originally hand stitched and I did find remnants of machine stitching.

 

The fabric feedsacks are crisp and bright. No lingering smell and only a few stains.

Perhaps it is wonky and a bit askew I can't help but think that someone started it and needed me to finish it.

This was my inspiration. If you know me you know I have longed to quilt and tried to quilt with no success...yet. The talented and gifted Miss Renee (yes, another one!) sent me one of her creations. One that she said looked like me.

Her quilter did an amazing job on every little stitch.

Each fabric choice so perfectly matched.

Thank you Renee, I needed this quilt more than you know.

Snowy

Slow progress on Dr. Dan's study. We hit a bit of a roadblock after the tile went in. I am slowly gathering a few items here and there to make it the room it needs to be when you walk in the front door of the house. 

A trip to the antique store brought me the sweetest treasure today.

A little country doctor toy kit.

Hospitaltown, U.S.A

Dr. U. R. Well

Patient: Snow White

Condition: Snowy

Sick chart dated August 3rd, 1938.

Doctor and Nurse were bought from a favorite store Oodles and Oodles.

Country Doctor Kit found in a darling booth owned by a blogging pal Marci.

Candles...

Another year...another candle. I remember each day my children were born and how magical it was to have them in my arms. My mother tells a very different story. I was born in the heat of summer over due by days and in order for me to come into this world my mother packed her bags and arrived at the hospital demanding my removal. I have always been a daddy's girl. 

My best friend, a baker extraordinaire bakes me what ever I want every year. Thank you Amy the spritz cookies are disappearing very fast.

My birthday gals have taken their places.

And the nicest surprises arrived in the mail.

Charming tissue flowers.

With beautiful details.

A huge surprise.

From a favorite artist and friend. I am in awe of the beauty and thought that each little stitch holds.

Heather's shoppe

Miss Heather of Vintage Grey has gifted me the most beautiful friendship and gifts.

Handmade to perfection.

Thank you Heather.

I find that my children have to stand in my doorway and demand my removal from said sewing room every now and then in the event of dinner, practices and more. Full circle?