We Won Second Place!

We found out last Wednesday night that we had won second place for our lights! A Christmas tree- shaped sign with "2nd place" was left in our yard. First prize went to neighbors down the street who had a Santa figure on their porch, grapevine reindeer on the roof, greenery over every window and a wreath hanging in each window too and all was tastefully lit up to accent the daytime decor. I heard that the judges were impressed with how neat and straight our lights were hung. What did our family do with our winnings ($50)? Donated it to the town's collection for the less fortunate. We are suddenly blessed financially here at year's end and can surely spare the money we wouldn't have had otherwise. God is good. It's easy to share the wealth when you have a rich Heavenly Father!

We had a "unique" time at the Corder town Christmas party last Friday. When I picked up Rebecca from the sitter, Rebecca was complaining of a stomach ache. We could see she was feeling puny, but forged ahead. At the party she wanted to lay down, be cuddled and didn't eat anything and then just before the rest of us finished eating she heaved up the contents of her little stomach TWICE! How can so much come out of someone so little?! I spent the remainder of the evening, seated in a chair close by the bathroom holding Rebecca and staying on the alert for new developements (there were two before the evening was over). Seth and Victoria visited with Santa (the real deal with natural wiskers and glasses he really uses to see with) and they brought Rebecca a treat bag and stuffed animal. I was not happy with their pictures- my husband knows how to use the zoom (!), so I don't understand the poor cropping. Therefor, I am still searching for the perfect "kids" photo to reproduce for Christmas mass mailing. Yes, I could go to Walmart and get a posed picture, but that would be too easy (and too mainstream). No, I have to make things difficult for myself.

Needless to say, I was up half the night Friday with a child who was thirsty, but could not keep Sprite down for more than 10 minutes. Thankfully, no one else in our family has been sick with the stomach flu. And hopefully, no one will be.

The Tour Continues

Tonight our tiny town's Christmas house lights will be judged. Hope we win first prize ($100!), but we have seen a lot of competition since we've first decorated our house (the week before Thanksgiving). My son (Seth, 8) philosophically said he would be happy if we won second or third (each $50 prizes). ;) Winners are announced this Friday night at the Corder Christmas Party- at the VFW Hall at the junction of Hwys V and 20 (in case you are in the neighborhood and can stop by!) Santa will be there with treat bags for the kids. I will post pictures later. In the mean time, here's another festive blog for you to visit. Thrifty Miss Prissy . I love her twinkling tree! Also see my previous post for a couple more blogs to "tour"!

Christmas Blog Tour

I have started to collect links to blogs decorated for the holidays so those, like me(!), who love Christmas homes tours, can get a virtual Christmas tour on-line!

If you, or a favorite blog you know, has a wonderful Christmasy color scheme, music or banner, post me the link and I will add it to my tour list. I have a very short list so far, but am hopeful it will grow. Enjoy!

The photos I've posted are of our house. This is our first year displaying lights like my husband has always wanted to. He plans to add to it every year. More lights. Maybe some figures. But definitely more lights! We live on a corner and our house can be seen from all sides so the icicle lights hang from the eaves ALL the way around the house. I have to remind myself that there are extension cords lying in the grass when I go out into the front yard!

Made In Heaven (check out the angel!)
Maude and Mozart

We Need a Little Christmas

Because we NEED a little Christmas

Right this very minute,

Candles in the windows,

Carols on the spinnette....



I've heard that tune on the radio already 3 times and it's not past Thanksgiving weekend. The days will be flying now as we count down to The Day, so I thought I had better decorate my blog a little like we decked out our living room yesterday. Nothing brings holiday cheer like the color RED! And if you are in need of some new festive rubber stamps, check out my ebay auctions. :) I have lots of stamps up for auction right now and will be adding more tomorrow. Every purchase comes wrapped and personalized with extras. I can't help myself. 'Tis the season!

Altered Moravian Stars

I have found instructions on-line! Look here. I cut my strips 5/8" wide (just a hair over a half an inch) and kept the length of the hymnal book's page. For the on-line instructions, stop at the end of page 2 and snip off extra ends. Unless you want to do a dimensional star.


I wanted to wait to post my latest project to include instructions, but a cantankerous computer and a too busy 3 year old is keeping me from it. Hopefully soon. These are based on a Moravian star without the third dimension and I used old, yellowed hymnal pages so there is a patchwork effect with a little bit of numbers, a little bit of musical notes and a lot of lettering. Vintage buttons dress them up. Wouldn't it be incredible to cover a whole tree with these? They make great package tie ons and are flat enough to slip into a Christmas card (for those who still send them!) I will try to post instructions very soon or find a link for you, so you can make your own. I made 6 of them yesterday while visiting with a friend, so as projects go, these stars travel well. I made these for a recent Christmas open house and they sold well. Someone asked for instructions so that's what started me thinking about writing some down with photo illustrations of some of the steps. Time, time, time. Where are you?

Suddenly Autumn

Thank you all for your kind words, prayers and concern as I have grieved over my sister Anne. Your support has been a huge comfort.

While my husband and I were in Detroit for my sister's funeral, Autumn arrived in Misssouri. For real. We came home to find that the large maple in our backyard had shed itself all over the grass. Leaves had blown and collected against the chain link fence.
Today was the first day of Deer Season (rifle) so Hubby and Son woke early to go shoot Bambi while the girls and I hung out at home. Rebecca gladly posed for a photo (above) while Victoria did everything in her power to avoid my lens and succeeded. Our guys came home empty handed while a friend they were hunting with got an 8 point buck. Tomorrow is another early day as the men head out to try again. Today I did laundry and supervised kids playing outside, but tomorrow I hope to do some art-ing or mix up cookie dough. Maybe both. I had hoped to take part in a holiday open house next weekend, but have nothing to show for it. I have some Thanksgiving rubber stamps and vintage place cards I need to post on ebay too before it's too late. *sigh* What keeps me going these days is drinking pots of tea. Celestial Seasonings "India Spiced Chai" with milk and sweetener. The essence of Autumn and a comforting drink!

A Little Something

My newest zine, hot off the press. "A Little Something ZINE" is a small zine full of small things- charms, postage stamps and inchies, all reproduced actual sized. Comes with a matchbox full of actual charms, postage and inchie blanks, as well as a template for creating a matchbox "cozy".

An unplanned detail was dedicating the project to the memory of my sister Anne. She was brutally stabbed to death this past Monday. Finishing the zine was very cathartic for me. Please be praying for my husband and I as we fly to Detroit for the funeral this weekend and for my family as we deal with the shock and grief. I am the oldest of 4 surviving siblings (a brother and 2 sisters). Anne was my second from youngest sister, only aged 36, and has left 4 kids ages 6- 13. It is horrific for us all. We strongly believe her ex-husband (the kids' father) did the heinous act. He is still at large, in Ohio now, driving her van and using her credit cards. He has done nothing to cover his tracks so it's only a matter of time before he is apprehended.