SURPRISE - SURPRISE

Oh, what a wonderful surprise, from Dear Lisa in Hurst Texas, but I don't know her blogspot. I know 3 Lisa's and I can't tell which ones from Texas. I am just so grateful and sooooooo excited. I opened it in the post office parking lot. It was wrapped in a Butterick Pattern, (how cleaver). Oh my goodness, it's "The Cokesbury Hymnal", copyright 1923. How did Lisa know I loved to sing? Actually, I have made so many comments about the darling artistic things people make with music and I've ask, where did you get the music. That's got to be what this surprise is all about. Lisa just up and sent me a book that I can keep and copy. Thank you so much, I know what I want to make first, I'll post it when it's done. Lisa, your the best!

This means a great deal to me. Friends forever! Big Hugs!

A SPECIAL DELIVERY IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS

I received a special delivery just in time for Christmas from Barb at Treasures From The Heart. A most perfect saying!

Hip, Hip, Horay,

I finally am finished sewing for christmas. Yeah! An apron pattern I bought in Midway last year, (Lily Apron, Busy Bee Quilt Design), with cordinating material to go with my daughters kitchen.

Two small blankets to wrap the new twin babies in. (Dollies for my grand girls).

Remember my little granddaughter Kacie that helped make her first quilt? Well, I'm surprising her, it's quilted and bound and wrapped.

GIFTS OF CHRISTMAS

When I think of giving a gift to someone for Christmas, many things run through my mind, especially if I know the person quite well. A little extra thought and preparation means that my gift will be received with love and appreciation. A gift doesn't have to be expensive, nor does it have to be from a fancy store.

I received a Christmas card in the mail yesterday. It was from a very dear friend. I was very touched that she thought me, and that she took the time to find the perfect card, for me. As you can see, there is a beautiful young lady in a white sparkly dress holding a gift. This young lady has her wings. The fact that my friend chose this card, tells me that she is understanding of what my thoughts and the feelings in my heart are. The gift that she gives to me is Love...

I see love in the eyes of Mary and Joseph, as they cradle the Christ Child in their arms. I see love in Jesus Christ's eyes as he looks upon all of us. I hope that the people you care about can see, pure, unconditional, love, in your eyes this season.

Love is the perfect gift!

SHOPPING WITH MIMI

When I go to my favorite vintage shop to meet a friend and look for treasures, I know that I will have so much fun and that I will be inspired by the beautiful art that surrounds me. More then that happened to me yesterday. I want to share with you my experience because this is the time of year that much is given and much if received. If we are lucky, something special happens, to let us know that God is the Father of us all and his son, was indeed, born that Christmas morn in a little town in Bethlehem.

I was meeting a wonderful friend, named Mimi Sue, in one of those special shops, called 'Just A Bed Of Roses'. As I entered the store I saw Brenda the shop owner. Brenda is always so sweet and helpful when I'm there, she and I share a warped sense of hummer so we see hummer in everything and we always have fun. Mimi came in the door and now we're all having fun. As I stand and take in all of the talent and beauty of things I began feeling chills run up my arms. I listened, first with my ears, then with my heart. I could feel love and strength. I was being touched deep down, in my soul. The shop was filled with a tender, yet strong, voice. I felt so happy and secure, I felt grateful for being me and receiving this special gift. Tears fell and I hugged Mimi. We both knew that we were hearing something very special and that we wanted to take that voice home with us. Susan Boyle was the voice behind the gift and Brenda opened her heart and shop to let it pass through, but it was God that whispered to my heart what I needed to hear. That Christ was born of Mary a long time ago. He lived to bring us the message of our Father in Heaven and he died to give us life eternal.

Thank you 'Brenda' for your open heart.

Thank you 'Mimi' for your true friendship.

Thank you 'Susan' for being who you are.

Thank you 'Father' for your continued love.

SIZE 7, SIZE 2 AND ME

I'm finally getting some sewing done. Size 7 is Kacie, size 2 is Mia and Me - is - Me! We love this pattern, Matching Vintage Christmas Dresses, but I put different vintage buttons on each hem. My daughter says, not practical mom, I said - but look how cute it is, everybody will love it. Especially Kacie!

They will differ in their tops under the dress, and leggings or socks, and shoes. These dress's can grow with them because the ribbon is long and it can be tied loser.

I used a friends pattern for the appron. I wanted one for my sewing room. My daughter said, mom, you never wear approns. I said, no, but it will look so cute hanging on my wall.

WHITE TIN CAN

Charity is not just a precept or principle, nor is it just a word to describe actions or attitudes. Rather, it is an internal condition that must be developed and experienced in order to be understood. We are possessors of charity when it is a part of our nature. People who have charity have a love for the Savior, have received of his love, and love others as he does.

Christmas Drawing Winner

I put the names of all my followers (new friends), in a bowl. Today was the day that I am drawing for my christmas gift.

Cute Rita from "rita'sshabbychicrose.blogspot.com", is the winner! Rita lives in Italy, so I'd better get busy. It isn't made yet but this is the material. By the time I get the mailing address, I'm sure it will be made, and then it can be on it way to my new friend.

I'm so grateful for all of my new blog friends and I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas where ever you are.

cindy@stitches

JINGLE BELLS JINGLE BELLS

Christmas's past hold so many memories for me. I'm going through all of my Christmas storage this year. I made these little wood ornaments about 30 years ago. I made them for my new little son. Actually he wasn't very little. He was 10lbs and 23inches long. I remember making them because that was the year I used my new band saw. I didn't even know, but I had cut up the middle of my left thumb nail. That was the first of many many many accidents with machines, scissors, pins, clamps, chemicals, and wood. Oh well, it goes with the job. You get better with practice!

About 8 years ago I decided that I wanted to do a Santa Tree. I've been collecting every year. I put this tree in my living room this year. This tree looks really good with my collection of Christmas with Southern Living books, (1996-2009).

SPECIAL APRONS - EARLY 1900'S

We had a special attraction at our Thanksgiving celebration this year. I got out my grandmother Allred's aprons. She made them sometime in the early 1900's, it was so fun, I felt like she was with us. She always had one of them on when I saw her. We served the famous cheese, onion, and mayo on Ritz, but I didn't make "old stinky" (grandma's cabbage salad). It just wasn't the same!

I'm so grateful to have a piece of grandma with me this year, some day I will give her aprons to my granddaughters.

More Christmas Sparkle

The sparkle of the Holiday's are so important to me this year. I'm not sure why yet though. What a wonderful surprise that came to me. I received a most beautiful sparkly angle ornament from a special shop owner I know. The angle is glass and the inside of her skirt has been sprayed with glitter. Her skirt also carries the word "Peace". I am honored to be considered a friend.

I went through a faze where I liked Victorian about 10 years ago. Of Course my Christmas tree had to be this style. It's been 12 years since I've used it so this year I dug out my ornaments and used them on the small tree in my bedroom. What I really like about these ornaments is the sparkle in them.

I love to see the sparkle in the eyes of Children as they open their Christmas surprises. The sparkle in the ice cycles that hang from my roof. Even the sparkle that shines from the lights on the tree.

I have 3 weeks to find more sparkly treasures. I will share them with you when I do.

I hope you will enjoy your preparations for Christmas and that you will share them with us.

hugs and kisses
cindy

IT'S BEGINNING TO FEEL ALOT LIKE CHRISTMAS ALL AROUND BLOG LAND

Just a little touch of Christmas. I want to have my trees ready so that my grandchildren will be able to help decorate at the end of our Thanksgiving Celebration. Some are old enough to be of great help to grandma and she needs all the help she can get.

I said that I was using glass this year, I know I'm brave but I'm also tougher. So far no accidents.

I am having so much fun seeing all of your Thanksgiving and Christmas treasures. It's the next best thing to visiting you all on Christmas day.

cindy-vintage castel pillow

I haven't been paying attention to my etsy account, I don't really have time to manage it. But, to my surprise I sold my first pillow. My first customer is a little princess named Kaiya. She's only about 3 months old! Seeings how she is a princess and has many "fairy" friends, her grandmother felt that she needed a castle pillow to lay on while she dreams of her prince finding her one day. I couldn't agree with her more. Merry Christmas Kaiya!


castel from grafic's fairy

FAIRY'S

I am very grateful right now - grateful for health and the ablity to over come. I'm healthy again. I've joined the living.

I spent the other day with 3 friends of 10 years. As we passed around hugs, I realized how rewarding renewals are. Distance doesn't serve us well, so our friendship can only be renewed once's a year. As I first set eyes on them all of the memories came back. A good friend is someone that, it doesn't mater how long you are apart, when you get together - you take off right where you left off.

Kathy loves Fairy's and she has a collection of them. You all know how I have been looking for a cherub, but haven't had any luck, this longing started way back with Kathy and her fairy's. While Kathy and I were in a shop at Gardner Village I found a little fairy. I bought it for me, to remind me of Kathy. I am working on her name. A sweet blogging friend made two suggestions to me, they look beautiful, but I can't pronounce them. I'm sure I will choose one of them. Kathy and her husband are leaving in January to serve as President and Matron of the African Mission Training Center for 2 years. I'll think of her fondly as I admire my little Fairy.

This is her - her poise stir's my heart.

I hope that you all find the passions of life this Holliday season that take you to great heights.

IS IT? THE SWINE FLU?

Well, I wasn't feeling very well last week and I didn't get started looking at the participants of White Wednesday until Wednesday late afternoon. I was flat down on Saturday and Sunday. I had a flu shot a few weeks ago, how could I have the flu. I haven't had the swine flu shot so at first I was a little worried. OK, maybe this was a little much, I called my children and gave them instructions as to what I wanted each of them to do at my funeral. My oldest son ask me what I wanted to have served.
Today is Monday and I have finally gotten down to my blog on the Faded Charms side bar. I don't have the strength to sit to the computer. SO I've pulled out my favorite TV show. My son just bought me season 9 of the Walton's. I am in Heaven, my pillow and quilt, an ice cold glass of Sprite and watching a Marathon of the Walton's. I should be OK.

Let me leave you with the Surgeon Generals latest symptoms of the SWINE FLU.

Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temp. of 100F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.

A nonproductive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).

Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.

Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.

60% of people who have the flu experience chills.

Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.

Sneezing is not common with the flu.

The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.

A headache is very common with the flu present in 80% of flu cases.

Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.

Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.