A New Grandchild

My son and daughter in law just had a new baby and I am staying with them to help with the transition.  I am helping look after 2 year old Neo and also helping with the household chores.

Neo has the most beautiful hair, little tight ringlets all over her head.

When it is wet, you can see that it's really long!

Neo's new sister was born this morning, so we went to the hospital so that they could meet each other for the first time :)

It's a beautiful thing when a child sees their new sibling for the first time!

Neo was happy to see her mom too..... I love this photo, because it shows the bond that Neo and her mom Mabulane have with each other.  In the forefront is Neo's new little sister who she will have to begin sharing her mom with.

Yes, mother and daughter missed each other after spending their first night apart from each other.

Mabulane had a wonderful birthing experience, I was so happy for her!  

My son Addison and his daughters, a magical moment.....

Kylie Violet

7 lbs. 4 oz.

21" long

A sleeping angel, and look at her hair!!!

Travel Pillow

I made another travel pillow, I just love choosing the fabric combos.

This pillow is for a young nineteen year old girl who has been called to serve an 18 month church mission in Oslo, Norway. 
 The pillow comes in handy when you are on a plane, a train, a car, you get the picture :)

My son who is in Brazil, says that it is his favorite thing that he has with him!  I love to hear that, ha ha!!!

I thought of this girl and her personality and her love of Anthropologie, and thought that she might like "vintage" looking fabrics.  These are the three prints I chose.

I have been saving this vintage print for the perfect project.

The background is a cream, and it was hard to get contrasting prints to match.  These pins are my favorite!  They are extra fine by Clover.

Topstitching the ruffle isn't only functional, but it provides a nice, finished look.

What goes better with cherries, than polka dots?

I hope that whenever Nicole looks at this pillow, she will be reminded of her warm and cozy memories of her childhood, hence the vintage print. 

The cherry print ruffle reminds me of the song, "Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries", sung by Ethel Merman in 1931.

Life is just a bowl of cherries;

Don't make it serious;

Life's too mysterious;

You work, you save, you worry so.

But you can't take your dough when you go, go, go.

So keep repeating it's the berries;

The strongest oak must fall.

The sweet things in life

To you were just loaned.

So how can you lose what you've never owned?

Life is just a bowl of cherries,

So live and laugh at it all.

Life should be fun and not taken too seriously :)

I made some other travel pillows and posted about them here.

I wrote a tutorial for the travel pillow here.

If you decide to make a pillow, I would love to see photos!

Chalkboard Platter

Have you missed me?  I hope so, because I have missed you ♥

I recently discovered chalkboard spray paint.

You can purchase it at Walmart, Michaels and hardware stores.

I showed you how I changed my ugly, outdated angel picture into a cute chalkboard here.

This is how it looked during the holidays.

My son wrote his favorite scripture at the top and I won't erase it until he comes home in 16 months!

I saw a silver (not genuine) tray that had chalkboard paint in the center.  I purchased a circular one at the store since I wasn't able to find any rectangle ones.  It was difficult to tape, I had to tear off pieces.

I sprayed one coat of chalkboard paint onto the surface.

I painted in the backyard, so the trees are reflected on the platter.

The paint dries really fast.  I determined that the platter needed a second coat of spray.

The blue paint tape came off really easily.  I wrote a message on the platter and the gift was ready. I really liked the message that I had written on my large chalkboard.  I just wrote it smaller :)

I was so anxious to wrap the platter up that I forgot to take a photo.

This platter could hang on the wall or sit on an easel on the counter.

You could write the daily menu, write reminders of things to do, write a love note to your husband or family member, use it as a memo board and leave notes on it, or write a seasonal message.

The possibilities are endless.

 Now go buy some chalkboard paint and have some fun!

The Spirit of Christmas

The Spirit of Christmas

By the magical light of a small Christmas candle

A little old man tries to carefully handle

The small porcelain manger which serves as a bed

For the wee Baby Jesus to lay down His head.

In wonder he brings the manger up to his view,

Smiles at the baby and whispers, "I love you!

I love you for bringing this season of joy,

I love you for growing to a man from a boy;

For being our light and leading the way,

For being the spirit which makes Christmas Day!

You've been my mentor, my model, my hero and guide,

Please continue to help me and stay by my side.

I've tried to follow your teachings and give as you gave,

Reminding all to be kind and that it's wise to behave.

Help me to serve others and bring them your light,

Especially the children, please bless them tonight!

Some have so very little, scarce food for their table,

You know how it feels - you were born in a stable!

Bless all their mothers and fathers with a knowledge that's sure,

The best gift they can give is their love, strong and pure.

That's the Spirit of Christmas when all's said and done,

God's gift of love, that came as His Son!"

Then back to His mother the child is returned

The Nativity glows as the candle is burned.

In a wink the little old man slips quietly away

Some say he goes up the chimney and climbs in a sleigh.

Whatever the case, His mission is clear -

Give unto others, bringing love and good cheer.

He flies into the night and bids us adieu

Doing for others what Jesus would do!

Greg Olsen - 2009

Christmas Decorations III

Welcome back!

These are my nativity sets.  

Two of them belonged to my mother in law.

She bought the Lladro when she visited Spain.

The wood manger scene is made from olive wood and my mother in law bought it when she visited Jerusalem.

The others were given to me by some dear friends.  

My daughter made me the tablerunner for Christmas one year, it's my favorite one!

I keep my "Thanksgiving Dinner" quilt up throughout the Christmas holidays.  Someday I will make a Christmas one.

There is a wet bar next to the dining room table.

I have this holly garland which I just drape over this clock.

This is the table behind the couch in the family room.

A close up of cute little children with Santa.

The photo in the middle is of my youngest son, Sean.

He was 7 years old at the time.  Now he is 19 and serving a two year church mission in Brazil.  This will be the first Christmas that we have spent apart.  The other photos are some of my precious grandchildren.

I bought these glass stars at Pier One Imports, years ago.

I put little tea lights in them and they glow.

Back to the dining room table.  Any excuse for sparkle!

Finally, our Christmas tree.

It is fresh from the Sierras, it's called a Silver Tip.

It's kind of different, sort of like a Snoopy tree!

I had to decorate it differently because the branches are in rows.

I added the silver beads this year, and added tinsel, or icicles.

The tree is much prettier with the pearl lights on.

I really love decorating for the holidays.  I don't even mind putting it all away, either.  Thanks for letting me share it with you.

Christmas Decorations II

This is a continuation of our Christmas decorations.

I love this little Santa head with the sparkly beard.

When I took this photo, we hadn't received one Christmas card.

People really do love us!!!

My mother made the Santa, it's ceramic and made out of clay.

The two little stockings are antique!  They were handmade in Czechoslovakia and they belonged to my brother and I when we were little kids.  My daughter bought me the snowglobe when we lived in Calgary.

I love the look of sparkly Christmas ornaments in glass jars.

I bought this little house at Home Goods.

There is a switch that turns the lights on and off.

I especially love this house, it has a pastel pink roof and the switch lets you keep the light one color, or five different colors, switching from one color to another.  It's a "Fancy Nancy" house.

My mother is really talented.  She made the stain glass lamp, and the ceramic base and also did the electrical work.

I've had this silver Santa bowl for years, and have always put candy in it.  This year I put some vintage ornaments in it and it looks sparkly.

I took all the photos at night because I think it is so cozy to have all the Christmas lights on when it is dark.

Next to that table, is this little end table.  The silver and pink ornaments are little picks that I bought at JoAnn Fabrics last year, at 75% off.  I thought they were so pretty and knew I could use them somewhere!

I made this vintage looking garland last year.

I bought an old book at the thrift store, tore out the pages and folded them accordian style.  I had to staple three pages together to make the circle. I found the idea on pinterest.

I bought cardboard letters at Hobby Lobby, covered the top of them in "tacky glue" (it doesn't drip), and immersed them in silver glitter.  It would be a cute idea for any celebration such as a wedding reception, baby shower, birthday, etc.

I bought these snowflake picks at 75% off at Joann Fabrics.

The blue bristle brush tree is from Home Goods.

The little Santa bell has lost its bell. It used to be painted in traditional Christmas colors.  I thought it was dated, so I spray painted it white.  I think it fits really well with the grouping.

Garlands are so expensive and after Christmas, all the pretty ones are sold.  I bought a cheap garland and dressed it up myself.  I added pine cones, red berry picks and sparkly aqua Christmas balls.

I think it really dresses up the banister.

ver

I forgot to show you this adorable kitchen towel. 

My daughter made it for me a few years ago.

I have threatened everyone's life not to wipe their hands on it!

It's for decorative purposes only...

I hope you have enjoyed the tour, I will show you the rest at the end of the week.  See you then!