Homemade Gifts

I made a long lap blanket for M-I-L. Single crochet pattern here, but I made it longer and narrower in the Homespun color Oceania. (eight skeins, Size Q hook, using two strands of yarn, chain 80-90 then single crochet rows until you run out of yarn)

Daughter M. makes personalized gift ornaments each Christmas. This year she made these beautiful stars for each of us. Last year, she made these white bulb shaped ornaments with personalized themes. Mine is the blue one with the special edging.

We had a blue and silver decorated tree again this year, and we needed a few more blue ornaments, so I made a few quick clay cut-out ornament to fill in.

I also made these earrings from gift cards. With a small scissors, I just snipped carefully around the design I preferred, lightly sanded the edges to smooth, "drilled" a tiny hole with the tip of the X-Acto knife blade and added earring findings. It can help to have two of each card if you want your earrings to match exactly.

Sherbert Sky

Lovely postcards from God on the way home at dusk tonight.

Sky Drone Photos

 owner/operator

 selfie

 the place

 bird's eye sunset

 home place

 snow play-culvert

snow play-fort

Milkweed Pod Angel Ornaments

I was trying to think of a new milkweed pod craft. Ever since making past milkweed pod ornaments, (here and here) I have tried to think of another craft to make with the pods. This year, I finally got a new idea: milkweed pod angels! I have enjoyed making the clothes peg dolls, and realized that with some pod wings they could be angels.

For this craft you will need: traditional clothes pegs, milkweed pods, tulle and lace scraps, ribbon scraps, glue, glitter, permanent markers and buttons. I like to use permanent markers to design the doll features, but some of the pegs will bleed the colors. A light, quick coat of Modge Podge on the pegs will seal them and eliminate the bleeding. We like to pre-treat the pegs and "stand" them around the rims of tea mugs to dry.

I found that hot glue was the best way to affix the wings, and trimming the edges of the wings with scissors could make them fit behind your peg doll better.

Before gluing the wings onto your angel, you can paint the pods with glue or Modge Podge and add glitter, or leave them natural.

 Decorate your peg doll and hot glue the wings to the back. Add a hanger or place in peg doll stands.

These last four angels were made at our annual mother daughter craft day by some of the girls.

Add a button or twisted piper cleaner (or other) to the head for a halo.

Christmas Afternoon with My Family

Betty and girls, Holly and Jessica

Grandma and H.

Miss O

Mr. O-big foot(s)

Jordan and Grandpa-buddies

Sister Rose and two Kevins

L. and "The Boy"

Sam and Maddie

 Freddie and Scar

Happy girl with new wolf pet

New Toy

 Husband got a drone, and he is having a great time with it.

All the guys especially love it.

 It IS pretty cool.

Here is a short video of ice skating with some of our home school friends last week.

Hoar Frost

Nov. Birthdays

We celebrated our two November birthdays and I forgot to post about the party.

A.was 26 and J. was 29.

 All our great kids together.

We had their mutual favorite cousin Holly and family as surprise guests.

Christmas Morning

Our pretty tree in silver and blue.

Loaded up!

 Jazzy pants!

Vintage single bed. 

Guitar!

New duds!