Enjoying the Remnants

Yesterday, I had big plans to organize and store my Christmas ephemera. Well, it didn't happen !! I guess the thing I enjoy most about altered art is the fact that you can sit down at a table full of bits and pieces and create a work of art, so instead of organizing, I created !! The background on this ATC is part of the cushion from a box of candy - I distressed the "little bubbles" by dry brushing blue acrylic paint and added a piece of lace, also distressed, over the top of it. I have a plastic bag attached to the side of my craft table where bits and pieces of fabric and ribbon get placed. There was just the right bit of blue ribbon and a small piece of organdy fabric that worked for the "bow". A page I had torn from a mail order magazine had this sweet little picture that worked just right. The snowflake and rhinestone added the finishing touch. Also, working on another winter piece that will take me awhile to finish, so things won't get stored for awhile yet !! I guess if all I had were scissors and glue, I could find things to put together to become something new !!

My "Notorious" China Cabinet

You know this story well, but it is worth retelling !! A consignment furniture store in the strip mall across the street from my complex was a favorite haunt. A few pieces of furniture that some people no longer wanted in their homes came to live in mine !! This is one of them. The first time I saw this cabinet, I could not take my eyes off it. It was exactly what I needed for my collection of family "heirlooms" and "things" I had collected through the years, AND I loved the design. The price was a bit more than I wanted to pay that day. Several visits later, the price had been reduced. It was still a bit more than I wanted to let go of. Then one day, I had been at a casino with a friend playing poker machines. It was a lucky day as I won a really nice jackpot !! On my way home, I stopped at the store I loved to haunt with the intention of spending my windfall -- and spend it, I did ! The nice surprise was that the price had been reduced on the cabinet a bit more ! Another lucky win for the day, plus, if it didn't sell for that lowest price the owners were willing to go, they were going to take it back to their home the following week. This piece of furniture was destined to live in my home from the first day I laid eyes on it !!

Ringo was His Name

Ringo graced our lives for 16 years. Your Dad brought him home to us when you were about 5 years old. It was a total surprise for me as well as you, our first family dog -- I don't remember that we even discussed getting a dog ! Your Dad was always full of surprises. Ringo proved to be easy to house break and learned a few tricks. His first Christmas with us, he opened a few of the presents under the tree while we were at work and you were at school. I remember your Dad being a little put out with him the day he brought him home because he got carsick. It was always difficult to get him into the car after that ride to his new home if we wanted or needed to take him somewhere. He was a good companion, friend and watchdog.

Patriotic Dresses

Another example of my Mom's creativity and talents !! This photo of sister Shirley and myself, is dated 1943. I think I remember these dresses because I wore Shirley's hand-me-down when she outgrew it and I had outgrown mine. Mom had seen them in a store window, of course, and made up her own pattern. The fabric was white with red stars and red with white stars. The collars were blue with white stars. Then she made those big red bows, attached to barrettes, for our hair. It was war time and we were very patriotic looking ! For any "dress up" affair, we had "Shirley Temple" curls put into our naturally curly hair. I always loved it when Mom "fixed" my hair. Weren't we just the cutest two little girls ? Even when finances were short, we always had nice clothes because Mom could do anything ! There are a few professional photos of us kids, but, the only one of the five of us together was when Mom and Dad celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Thank heavens for Kodak cameras !!!

Merry Christmas

The thought and love given in the creation of these gifts for me warms my heart and soul. You, my dear daughter, had to have inherited your seamstress skills from your grandmother !! The use of her vintage fabric scraps in this beautiful tote bag makes it even more special for me. I can't wait to carry it and get reactions from my friends. They will be so envious !! After I bake the cookies using the mixture in the quart jar, I am going to use the jar to store the mini-ornaments from the little live tree you and Bob sent earlier. And, my sweet little grand-daughter decorated the "cedar chest box". Inside, was the charm bracelet wrapped in Asian motif fabric. The charms feature love, faith and trust on one side and the Asian symbols for the same on the opposite side. The clasp says "Create", so I think I will go do that now. Or, should I bake cookies ?? Thank you, my girls, (and your husbands) for making me feel so special with these lovely gifts !!

Christmas Eve Remembrance

Gifts were exchanged from under this Christmas tree for 13 seasons. I was shopping at our Sears store one day back in the late 60's when their decorations for the holidays had just been put on display. I saw this tree with all of its trimmings and it was love at first sight ! I HAD to have it !! Then I saw the price !! $100 and that was just for the tree !! It was the trimmings that made it so pleasing to my eye and to purchase all of them would be over another $100. I stood and looked and pondered and pondered some more !! I didn't have that much cash that day and couldn't put it on the credit card. Your Dad would not appreciate that !! I decided to put it on lay-a-way. I could get it paid for out of my tip money before Christmas -- Yep, I could do that !! I was so happy the day I was making the last payment and bringing it home. OOPS !! It was a one piece tree - the branches were hinged -- the box would not begin to fit in the car or the trunk of the car. I had to go back home and get Dad's truck. When I finished putting it altogether and your Dad was admiring it, his first question was " How much did that tree cost you ?" Well, I DID tell him how much the "tree" cost !! It was years later when I told him the true story of my favorite Christmas tree.

Watching TV

Yesterday, I had the TV tuned to a show featuring animals and my "guest" was enjoying watching !! Jasmine was more fun for me to watch than the show. What a character !! As the animals disappeared off the screen, she would go to the sides and back of the set looking for them ! She will be going home today - like any grandkid, I have spoiled her rotten during her stay with me and her Mommy and Daddy will have to "unspoil" her !!