Sweet Christmas Images for Crafting!

At my first Christmas in 1968, I received this special card from my mother's Aunt Edna.

I thought you might enjoy the graphics as much as I do.

The walnut baby bassinet that you see featured with the card, is an ornament that my mother made years ago.

I'm hoping to do something similar for my girls.

If I'm successful, I promise to post a tutorial.

XOXO

♥

Nothing says Christmas like a pink Christmas tree!

I'm trying to keep some normalcy in the house while we continue to wait for changes with Chris's mom. When we returned home later over the weekend, the girls and I set up their bedroom Christmas trees.

Every year, the girls have received special ornaments from various family members. After 13 years, Emma has quite the collection for her hot pink tree.

As you've seen on other posts, Josie's ornament collection tends to be Asian-themed.

She informed me that she wants some "regular" ornaments too.

Josie wants to thank you for her "new" VW Bug ornament, Mom!

It's Josie's favorite car (aside from the Bat Mobile)

XOXO

♥

Sometimes you just need to laugh...

Remember our Halloween minion?
All that paint has preserved him pretty well.

At this rate, he might just be around at Easter!

Laughter might just be the best form of medicine right now.

XOXO

♥

A little Christmas cheer...

We'll be heading back to West MI later today.

With all the stress over the last 48 hours, we are ALL ready for some Christmas cheer. If I can't be home decorating, I can at least give my blog a makeover!!

The new blog banner is a picture I took last Christmas. Aren't those pink miniature trees delightful? They were part of a table center piece at my Mom and Dad's house. In case you're interested, you can find those Santa straws again this year at the Dollar Tree. They look rather festive with Shirley Temple drinks.

Update
I want to thank you for all your continued prayers and words of encouragement regarding my MIL. Unfortunately, the neurology team has confirmed that there isn't a chance for a full recovery. The stroke has done too much damage. As you can imagine, this is difficult news to comprehend. It feels like a blessing that the girls were able to share a few hours of happy conversation with their Nana Wednesday night before everything would change.

XOXO

♥

Thank you. Keep the prayers coming...

I want to thank each and every one of YOU for all of your prayers. It's been a difficult 24 hours. My mother in law continues to remain in ICU where they are running more tests to assess the damage from the latest stroke Thursday morning. It's heart breaking to experience such a major setback after such a good night at the nursing home with her Wednesday night.

Maybe there was a reason we were across the state this year for Thanksgiving...

Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for all your words of encouragement and prayers.

XOXO

♥

Prayers needed for our family...

This has been an emotional Thanksgiving. I normally don't share personal family struggles, but my mother in law had a massive stroke this morning which has left her with paralysis on her right side and she is currently unresponsive. We traveled across the state yesterday to visit her at her nursing home and joked about her day pass for our Thanksgiving dinner celebration. It feels like a blessing that we were able to share a few hours of happy conversation before everything would change.

Please remember my father in law and mother in law in your prayers. It has been a difficult three years and I'm praying for Gods will and for his strength for them both. It's moments like this, that I am reminded that family & friends are the greatest blessing.

XOXO

♥

A special Thanksgiving photoshoot!

Poor Penny.
She's gotten very tolerate of my special photoshoots.

An "early" Happy Thanksgiving to each of you!

Safe travels and blessings to your families!

XOXO

♥

Makeover madness...

I squeezed in a few thrifty makeovers with my Saturday treasures...

Before

After

Before

After
(inspiration from Magpie Ethel)

Before


After

After our Thanksgiving travels, I can't wait to really get serious with Christmas crafting!

XOXO

♥

Things that made me smile on Saturday...

Cozy Kitties

Torturing Penny with mini Santa Beards

Seeing Josie's love of reading


Finding loads of thrifty treasures with my Mom



And a craft room table filled with projects


I hope you're having a lovely weekend.
Yippee for a short work week!
XOXO

♥

Lil' Vintage Story Books Link Party

Before Emma was born and we were living in a different city, I often visited a special antique store with my Mom and sister. On one special occasion, I picked up this Christmas in Fairyland book.

I remember thinking at the time (15+ plus years ago) that $5 seemed like a lot of money to spend on a vintage book. It's now worth quite a bit more.

Produced in the 1950s, it includes an activity book and several pop-ups.

The graphics are just delightful.

One of my favorite parts of this book is the board game that is on the last page of the book. Feel free to click on the image to enjoy your own game. I color copied this page and then laminated it onto a larger piece of construction paper.

Miniature ornaments, trees or tiny packages would make great game pieces.

For more vintage book illustrations

visit:

Have a lovely weekend.

Happy Thrifting!
Happy Crafting!

XOXO

♥