Oh Dear,

While you are waiting for us to show you something wonderful we have created, ( and we are waiting for that too...) let me show you some pictures I took from inside my house. ( I am not getting out in that stuff!) The deer are not enjoying this any more than we are. In fact, they are quite hungry and can't find much grass or vegetation. They lay down in back of the house a lot, and come right up to the front to try and find grass--but to no avail. My husband says they have to move slowly to conserve energy now too. If we startle them and they run off, it is not good for them. We are due for a warm up this week- that means maybe one day over 33degrees. It will take a lot more than that to melt this - probably will be March.






Elizabeth

Saint Elizabeth

For Christmas, Carol made me this "Saint Elizabeth" hanging. It also includes a St Elizabeth medal as well. I really love it and was quite surprised. She picked up the prayer card and medal from a little church she visited during a recent visit with her son and daughter-in-law.

...- Well, here...., I will let her tell you where she found it. I wish I could have also been there. It sounds quite delightful.

Elizabeth

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During a Thanksgiving visit with my son and his family, we drove to Eureka Spring, Arkansas for a little day trip. My first trip there, and it is a fascinating little town, amazing that people can build such quaint houses, buildings, hotels, and churches just hanging off the hillsides.

An especially beautiful example was the Catholic Church built into the hill behind and under the Hotel Crescent. Very old and tiny--probably only has 5 seating rows on each side--but from the circular dome in the ceiling, marble in the floor, stained glass in the windows to the stations of the Cross all along the walkway, one is surrounded by an old European feeling--something very old and very peaceful.

And then, under the church was a little shop selling the prayer cards and medals, and this is where I found the one perfect for my sister, Elizabeth. She has been there for me when I needed her and truly became my St. Elizabeth of Hungary--patron of widows.

Carol

Best New Year Wishes

Carol and Elizabeth wish a Very Happy New Year to all of our blog visitors.

We hope 2010 brings happiness and good health to you and your families.

Thank you so much for visiting us here.

Kiss the Snow GOODBYE!

Please, good Spring Fairy, come and kiss the snow goodbye.
Although it is not even January yet, we have had ENOUGH snow! There is not even any weather predicted in the near future that could possibly melt any of it--only more predicted. Where will they even plow what comes next?- the piles on the side of the streets are too high for any more.

So, I just say to you, Mother Nature, ENOUGH ALREADY!!

Thanks for letting me vent- I am so "over" the snow!
Elizabeth

Christmas Images

As Christmas is upon us, I want to post a few Christmas photos in some places throughout my house.

This first is in the entryway.


Then, turning into the dining room....I have a little tree with a lot of swaps from Silver Bella in years past.

This tray holds the banner made in Pam Garrison's class.

And this was the inspiration for the whole room--my new favorite color--tarnished Sterling. I am appreciating the patina in a way my mother would not have understood. No stress over the tarnish!

Included here is a project from Silver Bella 2007 and an Amy Powers sparkly house.

My Bella Holiday Fabric Fatbook blended right in with its colors--

In the kitchen area, a couple of little trees on the counter have pretty much the same colors--

Thanks for taking a wee tour with me.

All my good wishes for a warm and wonderful Christmas to you all.

Carol

Arrival of Angels

The Angels have arrived at my house!

Danielle Muller, of The Vintage Dragonfly, hosted The Angel Paper Doll Swap. It was a pleasure creating this angel. She started out as a turn of the century painting by the American Illustrator, Jessie Willcox Smith. I altered the sitting mother and child to a standing angel with the Child and embellished her with feathers, pearls, fabrics, and antique lace.



Is this a choir of angels? Looks like it to me.

When the swap angels arrived, I attached them to a length of lace and hung them from my mantle. Perfect for Christmas!!

I had just finished assembling all the "stuff" on the mantle.....lots of my favorite things...hmmm, sounds like a song....

Of course, the photos don't do them justice. The angels are treasures, obviously carefully crafted, each one a beautiful piece of art.

Below--from the left--by Jamie Vowell http://rem-nants.blogspot.com/

in the middle--mine

on the right--Susie Bieker

Below--on the left--Susie Bieker

on the right--Danielle Muller http://www.thevintagedragonfly.typepad.com/

Below--on the left--by Robin Sanchez

middle--Pamela Keravuori http://pamelajanes.blogspot.com/

on the right--Jamie Vowell's

Pardon if my photography skills don't exist, but I liked these with no flash--the lighting is very peaceful to me.

I feel lucky to have been able to participate in this swap with such talented ladies.

Carol

Silver Bella Needlework Sampler Swap

Each participating Bella was to make 3 needlework samplers, measuring 4"X5". The clever hostess, Chantal Johnson, assembled them and put the three into a lovely hand embroidered needle book. She filled it with needles, sweet scissors, and graceful touches of her talents. We did not get back our own sampler, and the whole swap was a wonderful surprise at Swap Night at Silver Bella.
Look closely at Chantal's delicate crown on the cover--

The first page--with it's cute little pins...

Then, the first of the 3 samplers--This one below by Rebecca Gawryl (please, if I have them switched, let me know, and I'll correct the post)

Next, is from Jana Perenchio--

And the third-below- is Vicki Flinchum's.

Aren't they precious? Such nice touches on each one. When I look at them, I think about all the time each creative seamstress spent--and what she must have been thinking about all the while.

The next to last page had this little heart pocket with the gold scissors.

Such a nice touch!

And then, the last page had a tag with the names of those who did the pieces.

So nice,Chantal, Rebecca, Jana, and Vicki, you did yourselves proud.

I'll treasure this little jewel always.

The following was included also, from Chantal--with her thoughts.

You will have to enlarge to read it.

The redwork girl below was my offering. We didn't receive one of our own in our booklets.

Carol