What do you love to collect?

Carmen stopped by my house last weekend and was in awe of my crock collection. Now, I don't have any really valuable crocks, but I do have a few crocks.

Today, I thought I'd share some of my crocks. Keep in mind I'm cheap, and I've been collecting 30+ years, so I have gotten most of what I have at yard sales, flea markets, people's trash, family members etc.

I collect anything that intrigues me, but I always seem drawn to crocks, angels, native american artifacts, bird houses, drawers, santas, ornate antique picture frames, artwork depicting women or mothers and infants.

Does anyone else collect crocks besides Carmen and I?

FYI: Our ceilings are over 10' so the BIG cupboards you see are 8' or taller...

Christmas 2011

I am lucky enough to live near most of my family. My sister lives about a mile away, and my daughters and their families are nearby. Two live only a few houses away, and the other about 20 minutes away. My brother and his family are the only ones who aren't close. So, I am lucky to spend Christmas, and the Christmas season, with the people I love.

Carmen and Mr. Primcat came over Saturday and took one of our cats for a Christmas present for her MIL. She was wanting a black cat for Christmas. We just happened to have a very lovey black cat named Buddy who desperately wanted to be a spoiled indoor cat. Well, Saturday they both got their wish.

Many of our family are sick this season. Luke just wanted to go to bed. You know he's sick if he doesn't want to eat, or open presents... Angie, Chuck and Kaylee have been sick for several days, and while Rachel and Cody are feeling much better, now Joe is sick. Being sick put a bit of a damper on their holiday.

So, here are a few pics from the last few days.

We hung up some outdoor ornaments on the lilac by the mailbox. Hubby made the decorative birdhouse a couple of weeks ago.

We put up the snow family and added icicle lights to mimic snow

I haven't decorated as much the last few years, as I used to, but here are a few glimpses of Christmas decor around our house this year.

We all met at my sister's house for dinner, and everyone brings food. We always make more than enough food. After dinner the kids opened their gifts and then the adults have a white elephant swap. The reoccuring gift of choice was dental hygiene. New toothbrushes turned up in more than one box. I lucked out and got one of the "premiere" gifts, a hand crafted star made by my daughter Rachel and her hubby Joe. My hubby had built a large bird house like our red one shown above, and it was the other "premiere" prize. My sister ended up with it.

I got a lot of very nice things. I'll show those off another day. More than anything, I got to spend time with the people I love and that means everything.

I hope you enjoyed your holiday too.

Myra

Thanksgiving - a time for family

We celebrated Thanksgiving at my sister's house this year. All the women cook, and we have a big pot luck style dinner. We always have more than enough food left over, and we all take home leftovers to eat later.

This year our brother, his wife and son came up from Virginia. It was good to have everyone together. Here are a few pics.

You can see who pushed to the head of the line.... LOL

My siblings and I. Yes, I'm the oldest. I believe the word matriarch was used a few times that day... made me feel old and powerful :)

Two of my three daughters, Rachel and Kimberly.

After dinner football...

I didn't realize until I saw this picture, that my sister and my daughter have the same facial expression. hmmmm

Now the table is filling up

Angie's boyfriend Chuck

Sherman

Susan

My husband Mark and his son Matt (Mark is the short one :)

Logan showing his sister Abbey some brotherly love

Angie

Purdy hoping someone drops something yummy

I hope everythone is getting into the Christmas spirit. I'm trying to get into the spirit but struggling.

Have a good week!
Myra

Items for sale

IF anyone is interested in seeing or buying any of my scrap metal, or found object dragonfly, or other creations, please note I have added pages of items I currently have for sale.

If not, feel free to check them out, and maybe it will help you envision common items in creative ways.

If you are looking for a Christmas or birthday present for someone who has everything, or unusual taste, you might find something you like.

A dream come true

I am happy to say that I helped my oldest daughter accomplish one of her dreams yesterday....
check out Lil Raggedy Angie at: http://lilraggedyangie.blogspot.com/2011/12/open-house-virtual-tour-post-1-and.html

Fortunately my sister and I own the building where she held her FIRST Holiday Open House, and I was able to help her accomplish a dream.

I am so happy she had a good turn out and it was a success. Congrats Angie.
You have become a very talented crafter and are primtastic.
Mom

It's just about time to get out our snow family

A couple of years ago Hubby and I made a snow family outdoor display. Our son-in-law's father had some 1" x 4" lumber that had been removed from the walls of a store, and was being thrown away. So hubby stopped by on his way home from work, and brought it home.

I had been wanting to make a large wooden snowman to display during the winter. Something that would make me smile when I pulled into the driveway on the dark, cold, winter evenings.

After a few hours labor, the used boards, and some miscellaneous chair parts, and scrap trim, and this is what we came up with. The big guy is a bit over 7' tall and the little one around 3'.

I look forward to getting them out again this winter. Maybe this coming weekend (if it ever quits raining) they'll once again bring a bit of cheer to our home.

Do you have something you have made (or purchased) for display during the holidays?

Myra

scrap metal art

Hubby, I and Joe made a couple of things today for Lil Raggedy Angie's Holiday Open House next Saturday. I have a couple of snowman heads in progress but I'm not ready to share pics of those yet.

Here are the items we made this afternoon.

They aren't perfect, nor are they everyone's "cup of tea" but we like them and enjoyed making them.

I hope you made time to do something fun this holiday weekend.

Myra

rustic folk art angels

Hello,
I thought I'd share what I've been working on for Lil Raggedy Angie's Holiday Open House December 3rd. I need some constructive feedback. I'm not sure if they need faces or not. I would like some honest opinions of what you think. They need something I'm just not sure what...

The folk art angels shown below are made entirely from stuff I had laying around. I used chair backs from old wooden chairs for the wings, I used two broken fence pickets for bodies, the upper back leg of the chair above for one, and one out of a couple of old boards. The halos are end ends of an old chair spring, a vintage silver plated spoon with an interesting design. I cut a heart out of a plywood scrap, and an end off a piece of decorative molding for another. Check them out and give me your honest feedback.

And as always, a swarm of dragonflies waiting to come to life...

Chandelier makeover

Remember this boring shiny brass chandelier I bought? Well, after painting it black, removing the globes, I have a new to me chandelier, perfect for my old house. I love it! Total cost: $19.59 ($15.00 for light, $4.59 for paint and finish) How I love a bargain that looks good.

Here's another finished item. I've had this old copper lamp for awhile, but couldn't find a shade to fit or complement it. Angie found this reproduction shade at a church bazaar in the spring. I think they complement each other nicely. And you can't tell its plastic unless you inspect it closely. I'm happy with it!

I'm glad to have a couple of projects completed. I've made a list of things I want to accomplish inside this winter. I'm currently working on the kitchen and a new bed.
Myra