Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a great Christmas and are ready to bring in the New Year!!  2011 Can you believe it?

I plan on hanging out with friends and meeting up with my childhood friend Jonathan from NYC.  He's in town for the holidays.   It's so nice to catch up!
I'll have to find out what's been new with him since the Legally Blonde tour ended. 

I'm trying out my new 50 mm lens...  one thing about snowmen ... they don't have to be put away until Spring!  

P.S. I did not make this beautiful snowman!  I bought it at a local primitives and folk art store in NE

Merry Christmas! Froehliche Weihnachten! Buon Natale!

Merry Christmas to all!  I'm honoring my roots by also including salutations in German and Italian as well!

I hope you all will have a very blessed Christmas and will remember the reason for the season - Jesus!

It's been a splendid 25 days sharing the lovely matchboxes from my swap.  I'm so honored to be a part of it and especially making some new friendships as well!

I will be back again soon - enjoy the holidays!!

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”” - Luke 2:11-14

And now for the final matchbox in the Christmas Countdown Swap! 

I was fortunate enough to receive two matchboxes from Nancy (see day #17 for the beautiful nativity scene) Thank you Nancy for another beautiful matchbox! 

         May you and yours have a very blessed Christmas!!



C Is For Christmas!

My mom and I recently went antiquing in Fremont and I picked up a couple vintage toy blocks with plans of using them for a Christmas craft.   I noticed the size was perfect for my littlest snowman.   I hope you like him!
He's a little shy and needs someone to make him smile.   A little Christmas cheer, perhaps? 

Christmas Eve ... Sweet anticipation

Well my friends, Christmas is almost here!  I can hardly believe how fast December flew by!!  It seems every year it gets faster and faster for me.  
Someone has been dreaming of a white Christmas in my town because we are expecting about 4" of the stuff overnight and part of tomorrow.  
What do you do on Christmas Eve?  I usually will go over to an aunt's house for some food and fellowship. On Christmas day my immediate family opens presents, eats and just enjoy eachtothers company.  Sometimes we go see a movie.  Not sure what is playing that would be holiday-ish?
I love to play games if I can talk my family into it!  Pictionary, Guesstures, etc!  We really need to get a Wii someday!
Shall we look at matchbox #25 in the Christmas Countdown?

This is another fun one that I thought was so cute.  I am just nuts about snowmen lately!  I hope to finish up my paper mache snowmen and keep at it!

#25 is made by Bonnie...

Inside is a red and white felt ornament.  Very nice!  Thanks Bonnie!

Speaking of anticipation...

                                                            The Nativity Story



Matchbox #23

Oooh!  Another festive Christmas tree for me!  Fun peppermint stripes!

This box is made by Jenna @ Corgipants

Lots and lots of nice little goodies inside too!  Thanks so much Jenna! 

Matchbox #22

This pretty tree matchbox is from Shannon

A tiny bell and "love" ornament inside.  Thank so much Shannon!!



Counting down til Christmas

Well here we are at #21 on our countdown.  I liked the combo of colors and sparkle of this box.  I especially like the fun way Michelle and Ashley of The Tattered Quilt Cottage used the gingerbread man for the number! Fun!

                                                                                 

Inside is a pretty sparkly snowman.  It will look great on my tree! 

Thanks so much ladies!!  I really need to learn how to make one of those!

  

Only FIVE More Days...

I just can't believe it's going to be Christmas in 5 days!  Do you have all of your Christmas shopping done?  Are the presents are wrapped up all pretty and sitting under your tree?
By this time I'm sure a lot of you have been doing your baking and getting all of your favorite goodies ready to go!
My aunt usually makes homemade biscotti Italian cookies for the family every year.  It's my nana's recipe and I actually made them for work once.   I was making "S" shapes 4 ever!  It's been about five years since  and I have not attempted it again. 

Cook Woman Food

This is very much like how my aunt makes them - in ball shapes and with frosting and sprinkles on top.  Sometimes she also puts frosting with walnuts or shredded coconut.  The recipe looks similar, too.  It calls for a lot of eggs!

Here is my Matchbox #20 from Michelle.  Isn't is pretty?  I believe she has used some vintage papers for this.  Very neat! 

Oh the inside has another beautiful vintage image of a wintry scene.  I can hear the sleighbells ringalin ja ja jingalin too!!  Thanks so much Michelle!

Matchbox #19

Matchbox #19 is from Wendy.  Lots of pretty gold frill and fabric. 

Inside is a wee little happy snowman! Thanks Wendy!

Let It Snow? Also Featuring Matchbox #18

Well how about it snow glitzy glitter instead?  This is a little of what I've been up to after being inspired by Elizabeth at Creative Breathing.  I am  inspired by every single one of her posts!   I have done something with the littlest snoman and will show a picture in a later post.   I hope you'll like him.  He's not as smiley as the others.  You can tell he was the very first paper mache attempt from me!  But that's what folk art is about, right?  

Now - Auntie G if you see this don't tell my mom.  I think she'll be getting the one with the eyelashes for Christmas!  I better get going on it, huh!

I still need to master the whole crepe paper rosette thing.  I was a little frustrated!  I think the secret is using a string to create the pleats. 

                                  all photos by me

Speaking of rosettes...

                                                                                              

Now don't be confused - this is box #18 not #25 but I do love it!  Makes me smile!  It's from Anne...

So sweet!  Love the antique image on the pin!  Thanks Anne.  Everyone has such talent in this swap and it's been a joy to be a part of this craft and blog world.   I hope you all are enjoying this, too!

I Believe! Featuring Matchbox #17

This sparkly matchbox is from Nancy P - I believe Nancy I believe!!  Just wait til you take a  look inside...

Wow unbelievable, huh?  I'm amazed - so beautiful! Thank you Nancy.   Christ is the greatest give of all...

I hope you take a moment to play this beautiful Christmas song performed by Phil Wickham called "O Come O Come Emmanuel" and reflect on the wonderful gift God gave us... Jesus. 

It's a different rendition of the traditional carol and it's from his Christmas album only available on his website.  I love his unique voice.  I had the pleasure of experiencing him live at a women's conference in St Louis a few years back. 

So turn off a few lights and enjoy your glowing Christmas tree while you listen... Enjoy!

Matchbox #16

Matchbox #16 is from Sarah doesn't it look pretty on my wreath?  I love the soft pink, blue and green on the tree.   Oh Christmas Tree Oh Christmas tree...   By the way Sarah received my matchbox #11 so stop by her blog and check it out. 

A little bookmark inside - Thanks Sarah!

Last night I went out and got a few things done - my weeks are flying by so very fast!  I have so much to do!

I hate shopping after work when it's all dark and cold out.   However, our winter days have been sunny most of the time so far and that, my friends, makes me smile!!   

These matchboxes are also making me (and several others) smile! I have heard so many compliments on what talented crafters we had in this Christmas Countodwn swap.   It's funny how many are intrigued by a tiny altered matchbox!

Have a great day!

P.S.  I'm loving all of your sweet comments and all the friends I'm making in blogland.   It'll be my 1 year anniversary in January.  I can't believe it! 

Matchbox #15

Wow!  Already the middle of December.  Christmas is coming SOON!  Are you ready? I have lots of  wrapping and a bit of shopping to do this weekend!

This matchbox is from Pam - all the colors pop and look delicious!   I will have to ask Pam about her blog name someday.  I wonder if it's a name of her band?   It'd be a great band name!

Ho ho ho! Santa and a pretty sparkly candy cane!  Thanks so much Pam! 



Matchbox #14

Why here's another cute and cozy matchbox house made by Marcia!   I love the name of Marcia's blog - Vintage French Hen.  

Look the beautiful French Christmas sentiment!  I love it!!!   Totally "me"!  I think I'll use it like a garland on a mini tree that I have here at home.  Merci Marcia!  

Want to see how beautiful it looks on my tree? 

Matchbox #13 Something Looks Familiar

Yep!  Got two glitzy seashell matchboxes from Molly (also have her #5)

Thanks again Molly!

     Below is a little peppermint goodness from the home tour I took in Atchison, KS last year 

photos by me



It was a tour of Mary Carol Garrity's home (Nell Hills store owner and home decor author extraordinaire) which was all decked out for Christmas.   These yummy goodies were in her screened in back porch area.   I love porches.   If you go back into my blog archives you can find my post of this tour with some photos.

See?  Even her porch door was unique!   There were so many interesting architectural features to her historic home.



Matchbox #12

#12 of this fun swap is from Jan!  I'm so glad I've been blog hopping and found one of Jan's other boxes and recognized her handiwork.  My box didn't come with her information or somehow it was lost in the shuffle...

Chic puzzle pin on the inside!  Thanks so much Jan!

Well, we got the white stuff yesterday.  Verrrrry cold windchill and blowing snow.   Just makes a person want to stay inside all weekend!  

Matchbox #11

Hmm I wonder what's inside??

Eeek it's a mouse!!  So cute! I don't know where she found that little teeny thing.  Thanks so much Vanessa of Stitches n Stuff!  I like the fun factor of this one. 

Last night I went with my friend Joanne to see "The Season In Reel Time" at The Holland Center and boy was it a fun time!  The Heartland of America USAF band was spectacular!  They had all kinds of music with some classic holiday movies in the background.   The darling little boys in front of me had a great time. It was heartwarming seeing them clapping and enjoying themselves with their parents and grandparents book-ending them on each sided.  They were being so good and seeing them snuggle together with their backs getting rubbed was precious.  The love was oozing everywhere and my friend and I were about to melt! Isn't that what family should be about? 

The show had a train conductor come out and read The Polar Express on stage.  Afterwards, Santa came out to greet the kids.   We all sang Christmas carols in unison at the end.  I love making new Christmas memories with a friend.

Our entire downtown area is lit up beautifully in twinkling lights, horse-drawn carriages and an ice rink.   

It's so important to take the time to do something special during the holidays even if it's just a walk downtown with a loved one to enjoy the sights..   

It may end up being a white Christmas in my town verrrry soon!  I must say it's been a great reprive from last years mountain of snow that kept getting higher and higher.  Whew! 

Matchbox #10

TEN!  Ten lovely matchboxes!  Muahh hahh haha!  OK so I've been watching too much Elmo and Sesame Street with the 2 yr old I babysit.  Did you get who that was?   The Count!
Annnd were continuing on with the countdown until Christmas...

This adorable matchbox is from Heidi.  I was oohing and ahhing over how she made the cutest little house!  

Look at the darling Santa girlie!  Thanks Heidi!

Matchbox #9

Here we go to #9!!  

Oh just look at all the pretty frills ... I love the bow especially!   This is from Kathy M.  

Wow!  Great gifts!  Unique and beautiful in an old world kind of way.  Thanks Kathy! 

Matchbox #8

Oooh isn't this so fun??  I'm having a good time and knew I would!

This cheery little matchbox tree is from Jill ...  I love the itty bitty pom poms! They make me smile!!

Inside is a handy dandy cute paper clip!  I may bring this to work to remind me of this fun swap! Thanks Jill! 

Matchbox #7

Everytime a bell rings an angel gets his wings!!  In a couple of weeks I'm inviting over my bestie and we are going to watch "It's A Wonderful Life" together.  I've never seen the entire movie, believe it or not!

Matchbox #7 is from Maria.   It's very musical and reminds me of what's so great about Christmas-time... listening to the songs that bring out the spirit of the holiday in me.  I get super sentimental and like to reminisce about Christmases past as a young girl or spending it with loved ones no longer with us.

Thank you so much for the pretty matchbox and bell Maria!   

What's your favorite Christmas song?  I love a lot of the songs but Silent Night is my most favorite. 

I did finally start decorating my new 4 ft tree.  It's perfect!   I was experimenting a little with my new garland but I decided to use it to  hang my matchboxes from instead.

There's nothing like the amber glow from a Christmas tree.   I used some pearls for my garland and hung a few special ornaments and some new sparkly ones.  

In my kitchen I will display some of my gingerbread collection.  I hope to get that part of it done this weekend.  I'll post some pictures in a later post.