Post Christmas Wishes!

Good Morning Everyone!

Just wanted to say how sorry I am to have not sent out 

Christmas wishes.  Unfortunately, the respiratory

thing I mentioned on the 17th only got worse,

resulting in two trips to the DR.  I really thought I

was developing pneumonia.  They gave me a breathing

treatment and medicine on the first trip.  After 5 days I

was having bad reactions to that and really not getting

any better, so the day after Christmas I got a new antibiotic 

and am finally starting to feel a little better.  Nothing was

really ready for Christmas - not the baking, the wrapping,

or the Christmas tree.  The tree was finally decorated by

Hollis and Lehmer Christmas Eve.  

Regardless of all the sick drama with me, we still had

a wonderful time.  Avery was just adorable and if

you will bear with me I'd like to share a few

pictures.  The block above is covered with my favorite

pictures of him since his birth.  The bottom has a

picture of Hollis, Paul, and Avery.  His

name and date of birth are stamped on the top.

I had so much fun making it.  I think it will be

my annual ornament for him.

This was the picture for Hollis and Paul's

Christmas card.  The huge Stieff bear is Hollis'.

When she was just a few years old, I found that

wonderful bear at an antique shoppe for just a

small amount.  What a treasure.  Even his growler

still works.

Here he is in his Christmas PJ's being read

"The Night Before Christmas".  Lehmer read this to

Cameron and Hollis on Christmas Eve for years.

So, the tradition continues.  Unfortunately, his Daddy,

Paul had to work on Christmas Eve.  I hope

that next year Avery will stay up later, so Paul

can take over.

Lastly, a picture of him in his "Radio Flyer"

push wagon - a gift from Lehmer and I and his

Uncle Cameron.

Our beautiful Christmas tree that got decorated

just in time.

To all of my friends out there, I wish you

"Merriness" for the rest of the year and

for all of your "New Year".

Sandra

Merry Christmas Ya'll

Good Evening Everyone!

I'm feeling a little better today.  My stress level

has  been over the top lately as I am sure you

could tell.  To add to that, my dish washer 

chose the week before the busiest cooking

week of the year to croak.  So,

instead of doing Christmas things last night,

Lehmer and I were out in the madness on 

a Friday night making a hasty decision about

a dishwasher.  Thank goodness they can

install it on Wednesday.  To add insult to injury,

I gave a lousy upper respiratory thing going on

(but a little better today due to lots of meds).

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Now, for the good news - the tree is finally up

and it smells so good (even with the respiratory

thing I can still smell it).  Makes me happy indeed.  

Even got a little decorating done today, but there

are boxes everywhere.  I sure hope we do  not

have any unexpected guests.  Went to my

friend's house today and cut lots of magnolia

for decorating.  I have plenty of boxwood and

holly on our property, so it is just a matter of

picking it.

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Going to Richmond tomorrow to see my sweet

Avery and celebrate my sweet Hollis' birthday. 

I am lugging all of my ingredients, pans,

and recipes so I can bake while babysitting

Monday and Tuesday.  This should be

interesting, but hopefully he will take

some good naps for me.

Anyway, just checking in with all of you

and thanking you for all of your sweet

comments of late.  To Mouse - I wanted to

say that I didn't dare mention how many

candles will be on her cake.  You know how

women are about those numbers, even though

she is still so young. 

Take care and "Be Merry"!!

Sandra

Happy Birthday

Good Morning Everyone!!

This is a wonderful day -

Hollis' Birthday. 

 She came almost a month early, so she

 was our Christmas present that year.  

~~HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOLLIS~~

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY.

Wishing Thee Merriness

Good Evening Everyone!

Are you as overwhelmed as I am?  I have ten days to

get my Christmas act together, and things are

not going too well around here.  I haven't put

a dent in my shopping (with the exception of

Avery of course), the tree is on the back porch

(not in the house), and not a single decoration is

in place.  I do have a beautiful boxwood wreath on

my front door, due to the generosity of my dear

friend Ethel.  We always have a massive wreath covered

with tiny white lights hanging from a huge 

tree in our front yard.  I replaced all the lights last year

because many were not working.  Well, guess what -- 

plugged it in this afternoon and two strands are not 

working. What a pain!!  All of the strands have to come off

and the bad ones replaced.  I have said many, many bad 

words over the years due to Christmas lights.  

They drive me crazy.

I'm trying to be optimistic that tomorrow will be a very

productive day and my "Merriness" will return.

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 ANNOUNCEMENT 

Our last day to ship will be Friday,

December 16th.  I know I should have

announced this sooner, but time just got

away from me.  Faye and I will be taking a 

much needed Christmas break.  I need time to 

get ready to spend time with one of the

reasons for my "Merriness".

Many Merry Stitches,

Sandra

MORE GOODIES FOR SALE

Good Afternoon Everyone!

To all of you who have ordered from last

night's post, thank you very much.  Today

I am offering you a few more goodies.

Please note that I have also put some new

things in my ETSY Shoppe - in particular my 

Santa and Lady Silhouette 

Ornaments.

Just click on my ETSY shoppe in the left

side bar.  If you like these and don't want to

go through ETSY, just email or call me.

I also added and re listed a few publications.

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"Tiny Oval Boxes"

Unfortunately, I am sold out of the "Stitching Lady"

Ornament, but I have a few of the "Horn Blower"

and "Lady Silhouette".  These tiny little oval

paper mache boxes have been painted and

decoupaged.  A hole is drilled at the top for

the hanging cord and a little ball of bees' wax

is inside.  They are so sweet.  We used to sell

many of these at the shop.

They measure 1 1/2" High, 1 1/8" Wide, 

and 7/8" Deep -- tiny little treasures!
I have two of each.

 $9.00 which includes the shipping. 

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"Paper Mache Sheep"

Isn't he cute!  I used to have these for sale in the 

Shoppe too.  I made them using an antique cookie

cutter.  He measures a mere 2 1/2" Wide X 1 1/4" Tall.

He is adorned with a tinsel garland with a brass bell

hanging from it.  I think you will love him.

 $5.50 which includes the shipping.  I have 

eight of him.

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"Holly Star" Ornaments

I made these out of wool felt, and hand painted both

the front and the back.  They have wire hangers and

rusty bells for embellishment.  There is a special

finish applied to preserve the paint.  I think they 

will make a very primitive addition to your tree.

They measure 4 1/2" High X 3 1/2" Wide.

 $9.50 which includes the shipping.

This shows the front and the back.

I have eight of these.

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Well, I think that is enough for now.  I need to do

some baking for my Garden Club Christmas Party.

So much to do - so little time!!

Many Merry Stitches,

Sandra

Stuff for Sale

Good Afternoon Everyone!

I am back home but only for a short time.

Will be heading back to Richmond, this time

to help our son, Cameron, move to a new 

home.  We will be going on Friday and will be

either helping him or babysitting Avery

until next Wednesday.  So, while I have

a few minutes, I wanted to offer you a few

good deals.  Also, I want to update

my Etsy site with my new books and some

handmade items, time permitting.  

All of these items are first come, first serve.

I take Paypal, Visa, MC, and personal 

checks.  You can call or email me your

information.  Your complete email address

is needed for Paypal.  If you want to use

a credit card, you can send all the information

in separate emails for security.

"Candy Container Santa"

He has a sack on his back to load him up with

whatever you want.  He is 10" X 3 1/4" at

his widest point and is only $12.00 which

includes shipping.  I only have one.

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Next is a great little Santa ornament.

I call him

"Santa Bearing Gifts"

He is going to visit both good and

bad little girls and boys because he has

sticks and candy canes.   He is 8" X 3" and

is $11.50 which includes shipping.

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Next are these great Red Aged Glass

Bead garlands.  The garland is 6'

long and is $7.50 which includes shipping.

I have four of these.

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I did some mini Christmas Journals, which

would make wonderful little gifts.  The designs

are all "vintage" which I have aged and 

decoupaged on to these tiny books.  They 

measure  approximately 4" High X 3" Wide

The first one is my 

"Holly Santa"

I have three of these.  Next is 

"Blue Santa".  

I only have one of these.

Lastly, I have this adorable "Daddy Snowman

and Babies".  I have three of these, each trimmed

differently.   Please specify the trim you want -

rick rack, ribbon, torn fabric.

specify the trim you want.  
"Daddy Snowman and Babies"

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Do you like "vintage style" Christmas ornaments?

If so, here are 20 candle clips for only $14.00

which includes shipping.  These are not old (but
made like the old ones) and
 do not include the candle. 

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Last but not least, I have a great salt glaze

Santa.  

He measures approximately 8" X 3 1/4".

$18.00 which includes shipping.
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Hope you enjoyed my little Christmas
Shoppe.  I will be loading things on my
Etsy site too.  
Many Merry Stitches,
Sandra

Something Free For You

Good Afternoon Everyone!
I have a little something special for you
or a special something for someone else.
It will only take a little stitching time,
an expensive jar, and a special treat.
This idea came from this inspiration
piece in my collection.  I found this
wonderful "vintage" jar at a fantastic
antique store in Ruckersville, Virginia.
You really must go if ever in the area.  It
is fantastic.  In the middle of no where
really, but well worth the trip.

Here is my interpretation.   I made these in
all colors for the different reasons to have
goodies around, Christmas, Halloween,
Easter, Valentine's Day etc.  Such a fun project.
"Goodies Jar Wrap"

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"Many Merry Stitches",

Sandra