Santa's Workshop....

.....or should I say Mimi's workshop.  I totally understand how Santa's elves feel at this time of year.  Hurrying and scurrying about trying to get all the toys made before Christmas.  Maybe this elf should take a lesson from them and start a bit earlier next year.  I have taken pictures of my custom orders and I thought it might be fun to share a few of them with you tonight.  This post will give you an idea of where I have been and why I haven't been leaving comments on my favorite blogs :)

Little polka dot lambs for a new set of twins

a few other lamb friends

Some new friends for special little girls

This little doll will be going to a customer's mother---Her name is Olive Mae and she will be 85 this year.  It only goes to prove that you are never to old for dolls :)

Several sets of finger puppets

A few of my favorite dolls that sold on my Etsy shop

Two happy little Christmas Elves

Four more little dollies to go and my orders will be complete.  All in time for Christmas :)  Now if only I could get my own shopping done. ONly 8 more days until Christmas-----yikes 

A Little Christmas Fun

Geno the Christmas Beagle

Where Are You Christmas?

Where are you Christmas

Why can't I find you

Why have you gone away

Where is the laughter

You used to bring me

Why can't I hear music play

My world is changing

I'm rearranging

Does that mean Christmas changes too.......

I did a little bit of Christmas shopping yesterday--to help put me in the festive mood,  I turned the radio to play Christmas music.  I have heard this song by Faith Hill a million times but this time, as the song played,  I really listened to the lyrics.  I must say it expressed exactly how I have been feeling lately.  My world did change this year with the loss of my Dad and my life does seem to be rearranging itself.  With my son grown, I do find myself reinventing --not who I am--but my role in life.

Oh I love Christmas --the lights, the music, the decorations, the excitement of little children--but I was just not feeling the joy of the season.   Why couldn't I find Christmas this year.  Then the thought came to me.  Christmas is not in the lights, music, decorations or even in the wonderment of a child's eyes.  If I was looking to those things --no matter how wonderful they are--to find the joy of Christmas I was going to search for a long time.  On my way to church with a friend on Sunday, we passed the Creche displayed by the city of Pittsburgh. A beautiful reminder of the where the joy of Christmas is found--in the birth of our Lord.

.......I feel you Christmas

I know I've found you

You never fade away

The joy of Christmas

Stays here inside us

Fills each and every heart with love

I  hope, as this busy season continues, that you will be able to feel the real joy of Christmas.  The kind of joy that only Jesus can bring. 

Scenes From A Craft Show

These past two weeks have been crazy busy with preparation for my two annual craft shows.  Table display, business cards. table signs, price tags, and sewing into the wee hours of the morning.  I can't believe it is all over already.  The shows went extremely well this year and my mom and I are both so excited at the end result.  "Oh Good" you say...."Now you can relax"   Well not yet-----My new sewing machine and I continue to be busy completing many special orders for the upcoming Christmas season.  It brings me such joy to know that some special little girl will wake on Christmas morning to find one of my dolls under the tree.  All of this hard work is truly worth it.  Before I get started sewing for the day, I wanted to share with you some pictures of the shows. 

I even had two of my most favorite people to help me.

Emma modeled my Mom's felt flowers in her hair---

while Kate helped me package up purchases.  I could not have asked for better helpers.  And then look who came to visit Aunt Mimi....

My sweet Emily.  Aunt Mimi could not resist purchasing this little hat for her.  I just loved that big  hand crocheted flower.  She does have the most beautiful blue eyes---I just always seem to snap her picture when she is sleeping :) 
All in all the shows were a success.  Now if I could just get those orders done I would be in good shape. I'd better get to work...... 

A Little Lady

Emily Elizabeth age 2 months

Aunt Mimi's sweet Halloween treat

Happy Halloween

Wishing you a Happy Halloween with no tricks and lots of yummy treats

Counting Down to the Craft Fair.....

There is a chill in the air, the leaves are falling and there is even a winter storm watch this evening for our neighbors to the East.  A harsh reminder that Summer is gone and Winter is on the way.  I must admit that I love this time of year. (all except for the impending snow)  There is something so comforting about being inside cozy warm in my craft studio with the wind howling outside.  At this time of year I find myself spending lots of time in my room preparing for the upcoming craft fairs.  I have been extra busy this year creating with my new sewing machine.  I find less and less time to blog and visit my friends in "blog land".  I didn't want you all to think I had forgotten you, so I thought I would say a quick Hello and share with you some of my completed projects. 

I was given this vintage child's vanity to use as a display piece for our table.  I absolutly love it.  It is the perfect color of vintage aqua with tiny crystal drawer pulls. The little drawers are the perfect home for all my little wee ones. 

A family of little lambs waiting to be loved by precious little ones......

A collection of soft taggie blankets.....

I have been having fun with these taggie blankets as it allows me to use some of the fancy stitches on my new machine.  Well that is all for now.  I must get back to work.  Only six days left to create.  Back to the sewing machine I go :)

Yes I Can

"I can't" said the young girl to her mother.  "I just can't do it.  I don't like to sew!"  The mother, being an encouraging lady who never let her young daughter say "I can't", said "Yes you can" and signed her up for a sewing class.  With reluctance, the young daughter completed the class and even participated in the fashion show modeling the "beautiful" blouse that she had sewn. 

"OK OK" said the young girl with her best teenaged attitude "I can sew but I don't like it and I am not going to sew again"

Fast forward about 30 years.....

"OK OK" said the now not so young daughter with her best humbled middle aged attitude.  "I can sew and I love it. Oh and by the way I think I may need a new sewing machine" "Would you help me pick one out Mom?"

So Mom and I did a little sewing machine shopping.  With her help I finally decided on this most wonderful machine.  It is a Brother model Innovis 80. 

Isn't it pretty :)   and just look at all the stitches I have to play with........

Alex and I picked it up yesterday and I have been reading the encyclopedia that came with it, and getting comfortable with all the new features since we arrived home. Two of my favorite features are the needle threader and the sewing speed controller. I think I am finally ready to sew my first project today. I am soooo excited.  Since my first craft fair is in less than a month, I have lots to keep me busy. 
Thank you mom for your encouragement and for passing on to me your love for sewing. 

"Yes I can", said the daughter. "I love you Mom"