20 Years in the Making...

As I was putting away my Christmas things I had to take pictures of some of the new things I made this year.

 

See this cute Santa on wheels? 

He was a little painting project I started 20 years ago...yes 20 years.

My girlfriend Barb and I took painting classes when our children were in grade school and continued to paint together for many years.

We had this Santa that was almost done but needed a little something here and there.

Every holiday we would talk about finishing them but never did.

This year we finished them!

 As we were painting we wondered how long it had been since we started.  Looking at the pattern packet it was copyrighted in 1993. Back then we painted new patterns that would come out so I know we started them in 1993, It's amazing that we still had the pieces and knew where they were.

I even moved since we stared Santa.

The paints were dried up but we found replacements...can't believe they still had the colors.

I'd like to share with you 20 Years in the Making Santa on Wheels.

Another thing I finished this holiday was this cross stitch Santa pocket. I haven't cross stitched in about 25 years.  My eyes aren't as good as back then but I found a light with a magnifying glass on it.  It works great! I started this last year and love how it turned out.

 I also made this cross stitch snowman...love him too!

 

 

 Both patterns are from Brenda Gervais of With Thy Needle and Thread.

St Noel is the Santa pocket and Oh Christmas Tree is the snowman.

 I also added some penny rugs on ebay

 Wool Snowman Penny Rug

Wool Mitten Penny Rug

 

Stay warm and healthy,

Leanne

 

Just a little Christmas....

Decorating.

Wow, has time been flying by.

I've been busy finishing up my craft fairs and decorating the house for Christmas.

I love looking at every one's blog and how they decorate for the Holidays.

So, today I thought I would show you a few of the decorations I have up.

I'll take more pictures in the next few days.

 

 I saw this Santa tree on Sew Many Ways blog and I had to try it.

Last year this was my snowman tree but after seeing Karen's tree it was Santa all the way...ho, ho, ho. I even made the Santa ornaments. I also found red ornaments with white reindeer on them...I have eight of them...just like Santa.

My Santa tree fits perfectly in our three seasons porch.

You can see Karen's tree here.

This is the living room tree. 

Many, many, many years of collecting ornaments.

I just love how each ornament has a story.

Many were collected while on vacations. I like to get an ornament from everywhere we go.

 

Last week I hosted Bunco. I wanted to take pictures of the kitchen island with all the food and my decorations....well I forgot.  So I took pictures after I cleaned up. 

 Little Christmas Tree...I bought this at the grocery store...just perfect to go with the silver reindeer.

 I added a red ribbon to the deer and tree.

 And floating candles with cranberries.

 The mantel with all my Santa's.

A few of the Santa's were ones that I painted.

 

Happy Decorating!

 

Leanne

I Just Can't Get Enough....

Wool Applique!

 

 

 I have been stitching like crazy. I do all hand stitching.

 Before I finish one piece

 I have the next one all cut out and ready to go.

 I have so many ideas

 and so little time.

 Now I can't use all of these myself and I've given so many away as gifts.

That I started selling on ebay and at craft fairs.

 I had to show you this little raggedy...her face makes me laugh every time I look at her.

 Yes, I started Christmas already.

 I can't wait for Christmas. I just love entertaining for the Holidays.

I started watching the Hallmark Channel's Holiday movies...yes they are showing Christmas movies already....I love it! 

I can picture it now... stitching on a Santa, watching a Christmas movie, sipping on some warm apple cider on this cold evening. Now I just have to convince my family to watch Christmas movies in November :)

 

I just listed all these goodies on ebay.  If you're interested in seeing all my listings Click here to see them.

 

Enjoy your day,

Leanne

 



Let's Cool Off With Thoughts Of....

Autumn and Winter.

 I just thought I'd share some of the stitching I've been doing.

It's been soooo hot around here....I can't wait for Autumn and Winter.

Just picture me stitching on wool at a baseball game with temps in the 90's and 100's.

Yes, that's what I've been doing...my son's baseball games can last 2 1/2 hours so what better way to pass the time between innings but to stitch.

When I stitch snowmen I try to think of cooler temps.

Or I try to remember what it feels like to add layers instead of taking them off.

Well I hope these images help cool you off a bit.

You know cooler weather is just around the corner.

I added some new things on ebay. If you would like to take a look just click here.

Enjoy your day,

Leanne

A trip to a new quilt shop....

well, the Quilt Shop was new to me.

We wanted to do something fun the other day so we took a day trip to Green Bay 

where we visited the hallowed grounds of

 Lambeau Field and the Packer Hall of Fame...saw all Four Super Bowl Trophies...very fun!

No, Lambeau Field doesn't have a quilt shop....

but there is a really nice quilt shop on the way.

Primitive Gatherings Quilt Shop

in Menasha, Wisconsin.

When we go on these male pilgrimages I try to find something girly I would enjoy.

My husband and son were so generous with their time...not once did they say let's go or that's enough shopping.  They sat in the car for 45 minutes while I was in quilt shop heaven....thank you!

Now don't get me wrong, I could have spent the whole afternoon there but I know their limits.

The shop is cute and cozy with lots of  wool, patterns, fabrics and anything else you would want in a quilt shop.  There were plenty of samples made up and the employes were just a joy. I will be back it's not too far away only an hour and a half drive.

I have a few penny rug patterns from Primitive Gatherings...now I have more.

I'll share pictures of my goodies.

Christmas patterns were on sale.

 Beautiful wools... I've been looking for some off whites...

 golds for sunflowers...

 and perfect oranges for pumpkins.

 Antiquing spray

I'm going to use this on some of the counted cross stitch item I've been doing.

 Finished up some Warm Woolen Mittens penny rugs. 

I'm getting ready for my craft fair season in fall...since I hand stitch everythng if I don't start now I will never have enough. 

 I'll put a few of these on ebay...click here to see them.

 My first attempt at counted cross stitch in about 30 years.

I have to say this was a really fun piece to stitch.

 Look close... no mistakes...lol. 

I need to finish it into a ditty bag might be awhile but I'll get it done before Christmas.

Today I'll be stitching...I want to make the gingerbread penny rug.

Enjoy your day,

Leanne

Why Am I Feeling So Christmassy?

Because I've been working on Christmas!

I listed these item on ebay if you would like to see more pictures or purchase.

I only listed them for 3 days so if you would like to purchase you will have to hurry. 

I have a craft fair on Sunday and I want to take these treasures with me if they don't sell.

It was so fun to do these one of a kind snowman heads...

finding the candle holders and old embelishments...

giving them personality when I added their smile.

 And "Frosting" them with fine clear glitter and mica flakes.

I wish I could have found more candle holders because these guys were so much fun to make.

You'll see me at the local Good Will searching for more...lol.

 I just love the look on this dolly's face...

I'm sure this cutie couldn't have been that bad to get coal.

 I had to make snowgirls....

with warm flannel dresses.

 I love gingerbread and polka dots so why not put them both in one doll. 

Don't you just love that orange hair?

 I can't make everything Christmas or Winter so this Homespun Raggedy is nice for any time of the year.

I love the wild hair....you know me...I'm all about the hair.

I just love this Annie and that bear is soooo cute.

She always smiles back at you.

I've been working, working, working.

I finished some wool applique, ornaments and penny rugs. My fingers are getting sore from all the hand stitching but....I love it!

I have a craft show this week and my last show next week.

Now back to crafting...

I posted all these things on ebay and you can email me if you would like to purchase from me or have any questions.

Enjoy your day,

Leanne

Sweet Treats....

I'm taking a little break....

from blogging.

Summer is flying by...

I need to take some time to get ready for my craft fairs....

check my display and make repairs and touch up some paint

so it looks fresh and new.

Try to find new ways to display my creations.

Look at inventory see what I have and what I need....

see how my new things will fit with the old.

I want to leave you with some pictures.

First some sweet treats.

This is a candy store in Vancouver.

I should stop looking at that picture...lol.

Everything is looking soooo good.

I listed a bunch of items on ebay.

Dolls....

some penny rugs and stitched pillows...

A little bit of winter... 

think snow to keep you cool.... 

and  some wool applique pillows. 

I'll be back in a couple of weeks.

I don't want to miss our birth month!

All 5 of us have birthdays in August.

This year I will 24 on the 53rd of August!

It doesn't sound so bad that way...lol!

Does it?

Enjoy your day,

Leanne